By Miriam Raftery

July 29, 2014 (La Mesa)--A La Mesa coffee shop has been victimized by patrons passing counterfeit bills, La Mesa Today reports.

August 4, 2014 (San Diego)--Researchers at San Diego State University have discovered a new virus named crAssphage, which is living inside about half of the world’s population.

August 5, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Southern California Edison has announced plans to dismantle the San Onofre Nuclear Generation Stations, which were decommissioned after radiation leaks, and restore the beach near the nuclear plants.

August 2, 2014 (Santee)—The San Diego Sheriff’s Department and the San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force (FTF) have issued a “be on the lookout” request to the public for Jacquiline Francine Jackson. She is wanted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon at a home in Santee. A no-bail felony warrant has been issued for her arrest.

New owner of Santee’s The UPS Store wants to make a mark within the community and boost small biz

East County News Service

August 4, 2014 (Santee)-- In the fickle sea of small businesses, it’s not a piece of cake to stay afloat. Lean on each other, however, and suddenly it’s easier to survive – even thrive. That’s the new message of Santee’s local The UPS store, led by its new sole owner, Greg Gagnon.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 1, 2014 (San Diego's East County) July, August and right into Labor Day, we use our barbeques more than any other months.

By Miriam Raftery

August 4,2014 (Campo)--Campo will soon have a new family medicine center.   A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 26^th for Mountain Health and Community Services’ new Campo Health Center.

Hear our audio promo in our new studio:  http://kiwi6.com/file/pk5dpheb7i

August 1, 2014 (El Cajon) – As the newest tenants in the El Cajon Medical Center, the East County Magazine & Media Center will provide media coverage and community radio broadcast demonstrations during the East County Wellness Center’s grand opening event on August 5^th.  We invite our readers to stop by and join in the celebrations!

The wellness center offers zumba, yoga and pilates classes as well as massage services.  The grand opening festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a ribbon cutting by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce at 6 p.m.  All event guests can enjoy a Wellness seminar, free chair massages, beverages and hors d’oeuvres, prize drawings and more. The East County Wellness and Yoga Center is located at 1625 East Main Street, Suite 205 in El Cajon, CA 92012.

East County Magazine & Media Center now offers audio services and more for local community members in our new recording studio. Stop by our suite 204 for a tour, radio broadcast demonstration, and drawing for prizes( including a free ad on East County Magazine (averaging 150,000 visits each month) and a complimentary 15-minute recording session/podcast  for your organization.)

Source: County News Service

July 29, 2014(Palomar)--Two squirrels trapped at an empty outdoor school on Palomar Mountain have tested positive for plague, prompting San Diego County officials to remind people to take simple steps to protect themselves when camping and hiking.

August 2, 2014 (Campo) – Following testimony by Campo residents and Supervisor Dianne Jacob objecting to proposed placement of sexually violent predator Allen Fields in this rural community, Judge Margi Woods postponed action.  She indicated she will visit the site and talk with law enforcement about response times before a new hearing set for August 22.

By Miriam Raftery

July 30, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--If you bought fresh peaches, plums, nectarines or pluots at Trader Joe’s , Sam’s Club or Costco recently, you may have purchased fruit contaminated with listeria. Listeria causes a dangerous flu-like illness and can cause miscarriages or stillbirths in pregnant women.

East County News Service

July 30, 2014 (Sacramento)--California’s Legislature has voted to put an advisory measure on the November ballot asking the state’s voters whether they believe the Citizens’  United decision should be overturned.

August 2, 2014 (San Diego)—The California Highway Patrol reports 105 crashes occurred locally from midnight to 4 p.m. today, as a storm doused the region. The statistics include freeways in San Diego County, streets in San Diego’s unincorporated areas, as well ass also Temecula in south Riverside County.

East County News Service

August 2, 2014 (Washington D.C.)—The White House has issued its first official condemnation of the persecution and massacre of Iraqi Christians by ISIS terrorists.

Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications Benjamin Rhodes met with Iraqi Chaldean and Assyrian leaders on July 31st to discuss the security situation in Iraq and its effect on Christian and other minority populations.

“Mr. Rhodes appreciated hearing the vital perspectives of these important communities regarding the difficulties facing Iraq’s Christians. He condemned the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s (ISIL) ongoing attacks on the Christian and minority communities in northern Iraq and the group’s systematic destruction of religious sites," a statement issued by the White House press secretary later in the day reads.   Rhodes further emphasized that "the United States continues to urge Iraq’s leaders to form an inclusive government that can address the rights and legitimate concerns of all of Iraq’s diverse communities, including Iraq’s Christians – only then can Iraq successfully and sustainably confront the security and humanitarian challenges all of its citizens face in the common fight against ISIL," the White House press secretary stated.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo from Yasmen Vidales’ Facebook page

August 1, 2014 (Ramona) – An 18-year-old woman who died July 22 of heat exhaustion following a hike in the Three Sisters Falls area has been identified as Yasmen Vidales, the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office reports.  A recent graduate of Chula Vista High School, she also played in the school’s orchestra.