September 2017 Articles

FIRE WEATHER FORECAST

East County WIldfire and Emergency Alerts

November 22, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- Elevated fire conditions are forecast for today, continuing on Thanksgiving.  While conditions should cool over the weekend, fire danger returns Monday due to extremely hot, dry conditions and Santa Ana winds, the National Weather Service predicts.

 Already this Thanksgiving week,  many places in San Diego County have experienced record-breaking temperatures for the season. Highs reached into the 90s in El Cajon, Ramona, Escondido and other local communities.


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LAGUNA MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS BRINGS HISTORY OF MOUNTAIN MAN ENCAMPMENTS TO LIFE OCT. 13-22

 

By Miriam Raftery

Click to view video of Emms shooting black-powder, muzzle loaded gun

September 24, 2017 (Mount Laguna) — If you stop by the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous October 13-21, you’re likely to feel as though you’ve been transported into the past –a mountain man encampment bringing history to life.  Activities for participants include black-powder shooting instruction, archery, tomahawk throwing, tool-making, camp stove cooking, early American music, and a traders’ row selling vintage and replica items from Colonial times in the 1770s through around 1840.

In an exclusive interview, Richard Emms, president of the Laguna Mountain Shooting Club, resident gunsmith and Rendezvous Booshway (leader of a group of mountain men)shares insights on how the group got started and what attracts folks to don historical garb for the 10-day encampment in period-style tents. 


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PRIME TIME! ALPINE INN STEAKHOUSE REOPENS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Ariele Brooke and Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2017 (Alpine)—One of Alpine’s most iconic restaurants, the Alpine Inn Steakhouse, has reopened after being closed for five years.  The reopening is welcome news to the community, which has reacted with praise and delight.

At a ribbon cutting held by the Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce,  the Chamber’s Chairman Joseph Perricone stated, “Alpine Inn is an icon in our town and we’re all proud as punch that you’re back.”


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LAS VEGAS MASSACRE REKINDLES GUN CONTROL DEBATE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:Las Vegas Police Department:  Thousands turned out for a candlelight vigil to honor a fallen LVPD officer.

October 6, 2017 (Las Vegas) – While the families of 500 people wounded and 58 killed by a  mass-shooter Sunday in  Las Vegas  mourn the loss of their loved ones, Congress is weighing measures to ban ‘bump stocks’, which the Las Vegas Police Department confirms were used by mass shooter Stephen Paddock. 

The device converted semi-automatic weapons to fire at nearly the speed of banned automatic weapons.—from 45 to 60 rounds per minute to as much as 800 rounds per minute, the Los Angeles Times reports

But while some legislators resist even this modest proposal or any limits on what they view as 2nd Amendment rights,  many victims of deadly shootings are saying gun restrictions need to go further to protect public safety. 


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CAMPO-LAKE MORENA PLANNING GROUP OFFICIAL THREATENS TO PUNCH SENIOR WOMAN IN THE FACE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 1, 2017  (Campo) – After being blocked on a neighborhood watch forum, Campo-Lake Morena Community Planning Group member Keven Owens posted a profanity-laced podcast on his “Erroneous Opinions” webpage in which he threatened to punch 69-year-old Claudia Millerbragg in the face.

A partial transcript of his more than 20 minute rant is below, asprovided in writing by Owens in an email response after ECM sent him an inquiry. You can hear an audio excerpt at the audio link above published under the Fair Use doctrine on a matter of clear public interest:

Audio: 

Keven Owens threatens Claudia Millerbragg on tape

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SDSU SWIMMING PLACES SECOND AT NEVADA RELAYS

 

Aztecs grab first-place finish in 400 free relay

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 30, 2017 (Reno) - The San Diego State women’s swimming team placed second in the Nevada Relays with a team score of 152 on Saturday afternoon. Nevada placed first in the event with 186 points and UC Davis rounded out the three squads with a score of 102.


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SDSU'S SANTIAGO CEVALLOS WINS TWICE AT ITA ALL-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

Aztec junior to compete in pre-qualifying round of 64 Sunday

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 30, 2017 (Tulsa) - San Diego State’s Santiago Cevallos (Queretaro, Mexico) won a pair of matches on Saturday to lead the Aztec men’s tennis team during the first two rounds of the pre-qualifying bracket at the 2017 Saint Francis Health System ITA All-American Championships.


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SDSU VOLLEYBALL TOPPLES NEVADA IN THREE SETS

 

Aztecs snap three-match losing skid

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Alexis Cage had 12 kills in the Aztecs' win over Nevada.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

September 30, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego State volleyball team snapped a three-match losing streak with an uplifting 3-0 triumph (25-19, 25-20, 25-16) over Nevada on Saturday in a Mountain West clash at Aztec Court.


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ECM PADRES REPORT: PADRES EVEN SERIES ON HEDGES' CLUTCH DOUBLE

 

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo:  Austin Hedges' clutch double in the ninth gave the Padres the win.  Via @Padres on Twitter

September 30, 2017 (San Francisco) - Two more...bear with us, it’s almost over.  Jhoulys Chacin started today against Matt Cain in his last major league start; he announced his retirement earlier this week.


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AZTEC WOMEN'S TENNIS HOSTS DAY TWO OF SDSU FALL CLASSIC I

 

SDSU claims six total wins on Saturday

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 30, 2017 (San Diego) - The Aztec women’s tennis team wrapped another day of its SDSU Fall Classic I with six total victories, four in singles play and two in doubles matchups. The team is set to participate in the final day of the tournament tomorrow at the Aztec Tennis Center.


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WHOA! SOROPTIMISTS TOSS 13TH CHILI COOK-OFF FOR CHARITY OCT. 14

 

East County News Service

September 30, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Get your appetites ready. Lemon Grove Soroptomists are fired up to host their 13th annual hometown chili-cook-off.  Helen Ofield, president of the Lemon Grove Historical Society, serves up this spicy description to savor: 


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CUBA TRAVEL WARNING ISSUED BY STATE DEPARTMENT DUE TO “ATTACKS” ON AMERICANS THAT DAMAGED HEARING

 

East County News Service

Photo: La Habana, Cuba, cc by  Vgenecr from nl

September 30, 2017 (San Diego) — The State Department yesterday issued a warning for Americans not to travel to Cuba after attacks on hotels frequented by U.S. citizens as well as U.S. diplomatic residences and the American Embassy in Havana.  The attacks, which began on diplomatic personnel, have caused hearing loss, ear pain, dizziness, headaches, cognitive issues and other symptoms. The State Department warns that all Americans in Cuba could now be targeted.


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SDSU CROSS COUNTRY PACED BY SEYNAEVE IN SACRAMENTO

 

Lily Seynaeve finished among the top 20 runners for the second straight meet

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 30, 2017 (Sacramento) - San Diego State cross country raced to a ninth-place finish at Sacramento’s Capital Cross Challenge (6K) on Saturday, led by senior Lily Seynaeve. 

Seynaeve placed 17th after crossing the finish line in 21:32.0, just two seconds off her 6K collegiate best of 21:30.00, which she set earlier this year at the UC Riverside Invitational. This is the second consecutive meet in which Seynaeve has finished among the race’s top 20 Division I participants after placing eighth at the UNLV Invitational (5K) last week.


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CIRCULAR VISIONS: VISIONARY DANCE THEATER TAKES STAGE OCT. 6

 

East County News Service

September 30, 2017 (San Diego) -- Visionary Dance Theatre, a La Mesa-based dance troupe, presents “Circular Visions” at the City Heights Performance Annex (3795 Fairmount Ave, San Diego) on October 6th-7th at 8 p.m.


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ECM PADRES REPORT: PADRES TAKE THEIR TYPICAL GAME ONE STONING FROM GIANTS

 

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo:  Buster Posey hit three RBI doubles.  Via @SFGiants on Twitter

September 29, 2017 (San Francisco) - Is it over yet?  Nope, three more in San Francisco.  Jordan Lyles started tonight’s game one against Chris Stratton for the Giants.


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U.S. ATTORNEY ANNOUNCES ARREST OF FORMER SDSU COACH TONY BLAND AND OTHERS IN COLLLEGE BASKETBALL BRIBERY SCANDAL

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: @TonyBland04 on Twitter

September 29, 2017 (San Diego) – Former San Diego State University assistant basketball coach Anthony “Tony” Bland helped propel the Aztecs to the NCAA tournament for all four years at SDSU from 2009 to 2013, before moving on to coach at the University of Southern California.  But this week, the U.S.  Attorney’s Office in New York’s southern district announced the arrest of four Division I Coaches including Bland and six others in a college basketball and corruption scheme.


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WANTED FUGITIVE COULD BE IN LEMON GROVE

 

East County News Service

September 29, 2017 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force and Crime Stoppers has issued a bulletin warning the public to be on the lookout for Enrique Leon. He is wanted for using force and causing injury to escape arrest. He is known to frequent San Ysidro and Lemon Grove.


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COPS COLLECTING TEDDY BEARS FOR KIDS IN HOSPITAL; 2017 LAW ENFORCEMENT TEDDY BEAR DRIVE LAUNCHES AT CHICK-FIL-A ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3RD

 

East County News Service

September 29, 2017 ( San Diego ’s East County) – This year’s San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive benefiting Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego will launch on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the 12 Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the Chick-fil-A restaurants in the East County in Santee at 9418 Mission Gorge Road and in La Mesa at 8200 Fletcher Parkway.


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ALFRED OLANGO’S DEATH, ONE YEAR LATER

 

By Miriam Raftery

Rally and march photos by Robert Gehr

Cover photo:  Alfred Olango's father, Richard Olango Abuka

September 29, 2017 (El Cajon) – A one-year anniversary event commemorating the death of Alfred Olango, an African-American man shot and killed by an El Cajon Policeman, was held Thursday on Civic Center Way in downtown El Cajon, followed by a march to city hall and the police station.


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SDSU WOMEN'S TENNIS COMPETES AT FALL CLASSIC I

 

Aztecs sweep doubles draws, log five singles victories

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 29, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego State women’s tennis team finished first day as host of the SDSU Fall Classic I with several victories, sweeping its doubles matchups and winning five of seven singles draws. The three-day tournament continues tomorrow at the Aztec Tennis Center.


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SDSU WOMEN'S SOCCER EARNS 2-1 WIN AT UTAH STATE

 

Mia Root scores team-best fifth goal of 2017

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 29, 2017 (Logan, Utah) - San Diego State earned a 2-1 road victory in a matinee on Friday at Utah State. The win moved the preseason favorite Aztecs to 5-6 overall and 2-1 in the Mountain West, while the Aggies, who earned a first-place vote in the preseason poll, fell to 6-4-1 (1-2 MW).


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BALLOT INITIATIVE WOULD TRANSFER STADIUM TO SDSU FOR SPORTS, RESEARCH, CAMPUS VILLAGE AND RIVER PARK

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 29, 2017 (San Diego) – With the Chargers gone, Friends of SDSU has announced a ballot initiative to transfer the former Qualcomm Stadium (currently SDCCU) to San Diego State University to become the SDSU West Campus Research Center. 


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS. SEPT. 29-OCT. 31

 

East County News Service

September 26, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the La Mesa Oktoberfest, El Cajon’s summer concert season finale, opening weekend of El Cajon’s Oktoberfest, fall concerts at Cuyamaca College, and an art reception for Padre Johnson at Cuyamaca College.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Ramona Air Fair and Fly-In, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside, the Borrego Days celebration, El Cajon’s Haunt Fest on Main, a Haunted Elks Lodge, a Halloween Harvest Family Festival on Mt. Helix, a spooky sleepover at Lions Tigers and Bears in Alpine, and the Boulevard BOO Parade.

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


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SDSU VOLLEYBALL DROPS FIVE-SET THRILLER TO SAN JOSE STATE

 

Aztecs to face Nevada at home on Saturday

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Ashlynn Dunbar posted a career-high 16 kills vs. SJSU on Thursday.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

September 28, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego State volleyball team came out on the wrong side of the score in a hard-fought loss to San José State at home Thursday night, falling in five sets (25-18, 23-25, 29-27, 16-25, 15-17) at Aztec Court.


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OKTOBERFEST IN EL CAJON SEPT. 29-OCT. 1 AND OCT. 6-8

 

East County News Service

September 28, 2017 (El Cajon) - The German America Club of San Diego hosts its annual Oktoberfest at its headquarters (1017 Mollison Ave.) in El Cajon over two weekends, September 29th through October 1st and again October 6th through 8th.


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6 ECM WRITERS WIN IN 2017 SAN DIEGO PRESS CLUB AWARDS

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

September 28, 2017 (San Diego) – Six of East County Magazine’s reporters are on the winners’ list in the San Diego Press Club’s  Excellence in Journalism awards.  Congratulations to our reporters Jonathan Goetz,  Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson, Paul Kruze, Mimi Pollack,  Rachel Williams, and editor Miriam Raftery.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY WOULD LA MESA SCAPEGOAT ITS OWN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD?

 

By Dr. Anthony D. McIvor

September 28, 2017 (La Mesa) --The City Council is understandably embarrassed by its serial fumbles on Little Flower Haven’s future. Having the four lawyers who sit on the dais (three Councilmembers and the City Attorney) publicly schooled by a lone attorney from Silvergate Development must have hurt. Most folks can understand that.

But the peevish attempt to shift culpability for the Little Flower fiasco by discrediting and then threatening to abolish the Design Review Board (DRB) resists all understanding. Burying the DRB in the Planning Commission would be a significant loss for residents. Here’s why.


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GOVERNOR BROWN SIGNS TONI ATKINS’ BILL TO STRENGTHEN SAN DIEGO RIVER CONSERVANCY

 

Senator Anderson votes no, rest of San Diego legislators vote yes on landmark measure

East County News Service

September 26, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Gov. Jerry Brown today signed Senate Bill 214, legislation authored by Sen. Toni Atkins that will strengthen the capacity of the San Diego River Conservancy to protect and enhance historic, cultural and natural resources within the watershed along the 52-mile San Diego River.


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11 HEPATITIS CASES IN SANTEE: CITY RESPONDS TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 26, 2017 (Santee) – Today, County Communications specialist Gig Conaughton reported that 11 cases of Hepatitis A have been diagnosed in Santee.

In response to a request from East County Magazine, the city of Santee responded that it has been working closely with the County Health and Human Services Agency to address the Hepatitis A virus outbreak by taking preventative measures to protect local residents.


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MEN'S SOCCER: CARDINAL TOO QUICK FOR AZTECS, WHO FALL 5-0

 

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type “Sports” on the donation line!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Story by Liz Alper

Photos by Cris Rangel

September 28, 2017 (San Diego) - SDSU men’s soccer has had a tough going in the early season, but they are a .500 team at 4-4.  They opened conference play tonight at home on the SDSU Sports Deck against defending national champion Stanford.


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