Photo: Iesha Booker and Mayor Bill Wells (Credit: Mary Ann Prall)

East County News Service

August 10, 2017 (El Cajon) -- On Tuesday, Iesha Booker, an MTS worker who aided a fallen police officer, was given a commendation at the El Cajon City Council meeting in front of a packed Council chamber and half a dozen news crews.   After a suspect beat the officer unconscious at a KFC restaurant, Booker used the officer’s radio to summon help, as ECM reported.

By Miriam Raftery

August 10, 2017 (San Diego) – Fraud, falsified documents and conspiracy to defraud a bank are among the crimes for which FBI investigators obtained a warrant and sought evidence during a February raid at offices of the treasurer for Congressman Duncan Hunter’s campaign, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. 

East County News Service

August 9, 2017 (Santee) – A woman walking her dog shortly after 9:30 p.m. Monday night in the 9700 block of Cottonwood in Santee was violently assaulted.

The Sheriff’s office reports that a man attacked the woman from behind and cut her shorts. The victim suffered scratches and was taken to a hospital, then released later that evening.

By Kendra Sitton

Photo, left and inside photo:  Henderson and Voepel speak after the breakfast

August 9, 2017 (Alpine) -- “Frank asked me to not get political and keep it positive. I'm going to fail him miserably,” said state Assembly member Randy Voepel. He addressed the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce at their monthly Hot Topics Breakfast at the request of Frank Sturnold, the interim executive of the Chamber while a restructuring is underway.

By Jonathan Goetz

August 9, 2017 (La Mesa) - Congress members Susan Davis and Scott Peters, Assembly members Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher and Todd Gloria, and Helix Director Mark Gracyk all shared at the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club last week their reasons for running for public office.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

August 9, 2017 (Alpine) — “I hear you singin’ in the wire,” lyrics from “Wichita Lineman” released in 1968 by the late Glen Campbell, are words many linemen might know by heart and perhaps sang under their breath at the 17^th annual SDG&E Gas and Electric Lineman’s Rodeo held August 5^th in Alpine.

Wood-smoked BBQ fired up night in annual town tradition featuring slow-cooked beef, beer garden, live Western music, cash prize darwing, vendor booth, kids' activities and more

By Valerie Watts

August 9, 2017 (Descanso) --Ready for a nostalgic mountain community bash on Labor Day weekend?  Our Lady of Light Catholic Church in Descanso invites you to their 80th annual deep pit barbecue. 

This family-friendly event will be held the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, September 3, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 9163 Riverside Drive.

The menu features their famous hand-wrapped deep pit barbecue beef, mountain ranch beans, handcrafted slaw and western rolls.  It doesn't stop there-- they also offer home made apple pie, "drinks galore" and more.

East County News Service

August 8, 2017 (Alpine) -- The quarterly potluck meeting of the Alpine Historical Society will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 20^th at the Alpine Woman’s Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd. The speaker, Rochelle Lynn Gaudette, will discuss new the exhibit titled Coast to Cactus in Southern California and the accompanying book Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors. If you have ever been curious about the geology, ecology and biodiversity of San Diego County this is a great opportunity to learn from an expert.

By Jordan Damond

August 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- North Korea’s latest missile testings show them to be capable of targeting the entire West Coast of America.  The missiles’ standard trajectory is believed to have an average range of 10,400 kilometers, and much of the United States’ west coast lies between 10,000 to 12,000 kilometers of Korea. 

By Miriam Raftery

August 8, 2017 (Pine Valley) – Effective today, the Pine Valley Fire Protection District has dissolved and has joined the San Diego County Fire Authority (SDCFA).  The Pine Valley district has served this mountain community and surrounding areas for over 70 years.

After numerous dog deaths on local park trails, owners taking dogs hiking in hot weather can now be cited for animal cruelty.

By Ranger Rebecca Smart, Mission Trails Regional Park

August 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- Ready to get out and hike this summer? Great! The Rangers at Mission Trails have essential hiking info to share with you.

Follow these hiking guidelines every time you, and any four-legged companions, hit the trails this Summer; and you’ll be trail Rockstars for sure.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Congresswoman Susan Davis and Nile Sisters founder Elizabeth Lou

August 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) is the recipient of the 2017 Refugee Champion Award.  The award was presented by Nile Sisters Development Initiative, a San Diego-based nonprofit helping local refugees and immigrants.

East County News Service

August 8, 2017 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School District board will convene a special meeting on bond refunding on Thursday, August 10. The public session begins at 6 p.m. after a closed-session meeting earlier.

Captain Garmo speaks out on community outreach, police brutality and immigration

 

By Kendra Sitton

August 7, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) -- Cities across San Diego celebrated the National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, Aug. 1st. The Rancho San Diego Command hosted an event in the Target parking lot, where community members and police officers grilled hot dogs and visited booths. The National Night Out Against Crime is part of the wider public outreach strategy utilized by the RSD Command.

“We’re really involved in community policing. We take a lot of pride in doing a lot of outreach through faith-based and through community groups,” said Captain Marco Garmo. “Community outreach is so, so important. It’s just as important as putting bad guys in jail. They hold equal ground. We have to put resources towards it.”