By Miriam Raftery

Photo: NASA/NSR

September 20, 2017 (San Diego) — The eye of Hurricane Maria passed almost directly over San Juan, the capitol of Puerto Rico.  The powerful storm made landfall with 155 mile per hour winds—just 2 miles per hour short of Category 5 status.  It’s believed to be the strongest hurricane in at least 80 years to hit Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory home to 3.5 million people.

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – Like the proverbial Lazarus rising from the dead, efforts to repeal Obamacare have been revived. Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy have introduced a measure that would repeal Obamacare with no replacement.  The bill would give block grants allowing states to let insurance companies deny coverage or charge more for preexisting conditions, and to eliminate lifetime caps on coverage for people needing costly care to survive.  It also cuts funds for Medicaid expansion and eliminates all subsidies for low and moderate income Americans. 

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy San Diego Kings

September 19, 2017 (San Diego) - Despite the Chargers hanging San Diego out to dry, new sports organizations are seeing San Diego for the premier sports destination it is.  And now, a new face is entering America's Finest City and it's founded by an East County high school grad.

By Miriam Raftery

“His behavior is extraordinarily irresponsible. A public official should not be in the business of threatening groundless litigation over acts that are things that reporters do every day.”  -- David Snyder, executive director, First Amendment Coalition

September 19, 2017 (San Diego) – El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho sent emails to San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Jeff McDonald repeatedly calling the award-winning journalist a “troll” and threatening legal action after McDonald asked tough questions about Kalasho’s business dealings and apparent conflicts of interests.

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2017 (El Cajon) – A Hyundai driver traveling 40 miles an hour rear-ended a Toyota Camry stopped ahead of her as she exited southbound State Route 125 at Grossmont College Drive at 9:10 this morning. The impact pushed the Toyota across SR-125, directly into the path of a Chevy Impala traveling 65 miles an hour.

Limited space still available! RSVP deadline extended.

September 12, 2017 (La Mesa) – Our next East County Dining Club event on September 21st at 6:30 p.m. just got even better! Sicilian Excellence will be offering tastes of Anticatindari and Buone Sergio Sicilian wines -- along with a delicious Italian special menu feast at Tiramisu Trattoria (8273 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa) plus local wine tasting  with the award-winning San Pasqual Winery,  Italian popular songs and arias performed by talented vocalist Valerie Watts, a wealth of prize drawings, and more are all part of the fun! 

We have a few seats left, so you can pay at the door ($28) but please call 619-698-7617 to RSVP or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

Cost  includes plated four-course special menu dinner, wine tasting, tax, tip, entertainment, opportunities to meet neighbors and make new friends.

Special menu:  Bruschetta, choice of soup or salad and choice of entrée:  Ravioli Ricotta, Spinaci or Zucca, Melanzana Alla Parmigiana, Pollo Marsala or Picata, Fettucine Bolognsee, Rigotoni Alla Norcina, Cavatelli di Ricotta, and delicious dessert: Tiramisu (plain or strawberry)

By Jeff Meyer

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: San Miguel Fire Department

Update  6 p.m. -- FAA records indicate the plane was registered to Brian T. Fink of Ramona. His Linked In site indicates he is an engineer with Qualcomm. Epoch Times reports the plane was heading from GIllespie Field to Warner Springs when an engine failed, according to FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer.

September 18, 2017 (El Cajon) – A pilot and his passenger escaped without serious injury after the Piper single-engine plane in which they were traveling crashed onto Second Street at El Rey in front of a church in El Cajon yesterday afternoon.

By Miriam Raftery

September 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- According to a California Health Alert Network bulletin, San Diego County’s outbreak of hepatitis A now includes  cases in La Mesa, El Cajon and Santee as well as unincorporated areas of the County, though cases have now been confirmed “in all parts of the County,” the report states.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Christian Chapman finished with 187 yards passing in the Aztecs' upset victory over No. 19/19 Stanford.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

September 17, 2017 (San Diego) - Christian Chapman connected with David Wells on an 8-yard touchdown pass with 54 seconds remaining to lift San Diego State to a thrilling 20-17 come-from-behind victory over No. 19/19 Stanford in front of 43,040 fans Saturday night at San Diego Stadium.