By David Willauer

August 25, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - Here are this week's top East County alumni sports headlines, as well as some high school football news:

August 19

Helix product DeShawn Keirsey went 0 for 2 with three walks, one RBI and two runs scored for the Cedar Rapids Kernels as they defeated the Quad City River Bandits 6-2.

East County News Service

August 24, 2019 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police Department’s traffic unit will conduct a DUI checkpoint tonight in the 4900 block of Spring Street from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.  LMPD will also have extra officer on the road now through Sept. 2 over Labor Day weekend looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The Department is partnering with law enforcement agencies nationwide in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign over Labor Day weekend.

Labor Day Weekend remains one of the deadliest times of year for alcohol-involved crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 376 deadly crashes nationwide during the 2017 Labor Day holiday period (Sept. 1 to Sept. 5). Among those crashes, more than one-third (36%) involved a drunk driver. Last year, two people were killed, and 31 others injured in California on Labor Day alone.

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

Photo : Creative Commons via S.A.

August 23, 2019 (Sacramento) -- A new court ruling says states cannot penalize a delegate to the Electoral College for voting against the popular vote from that state. 

By Kathy Carpenter

August 23, 2019 (Spring Valley) – Watching Xanadu is like stepping into a time warp. The musical is based on the Universal film starring Olivia Newton-John. Yes, I saw the movie way back when and loved it--the music, the romance, the innocent kind of fun. It's what we did back in 1980. But I haven't seen the movie since.

East County News Service

August 22, 2019 (Alpine) – Concerned over the potential loss of funds to expand a portion of Interstate 8 in East County due to a shift in priorities at the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the Alpine Chamber of Commerce has announced the formation of a Government Affairs Committee.

August 22, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Trump team braces GOP donors for a potential ‘moderate and short’ recession (Politico)
• ‘I am the chosen one’: Trump again plays on messianic claims as he embraces ‘King of Israel’ title (Washington Post)
• Thousands of whales are dying.  Scientists have run out of public beaches for the carcasses to rot. (USA Today)
• The Trump Administration Is Trying to Make It Easier to Fire Unmarried Pregnant Women (Mother Jones)
• Jewish Democrats decry Trump’s ‘loyalty’ remarks (The Hill)
• Court upholds ruling that children held at border must have adequate food, bedding, sanitation  (Los Angeles Times)
• Reps. Omar And Tlaib Barred From Visiting Israel After Trump Supports A Ban (NPR)

WORLD

• Parts of the Amazon rainforest are on fire — and smoke can be spotted from space (CBS)
• ‘Greenland is not for sale’: Trump’s talk of a purchase draws derision (New York Times)
• Shock in Denmark after Trump, spurned over Greenland, cancels visit (Reuters)
• What a mysterious explosion tells us about Russia's 'doomsday weapon' (CNN)
• How Hong Kong got trapped in a cycle of violence (BBC)
• Devastating Banana Fungus Arrives In Colombia, Threatening The Fruit's Future (NPR)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

East County News Service

August 22, 2019 (San Diego) – On Friday, September 20^th, events in multiple San Diego locations are planned as part of the Global Climate Walkout from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. including San Diego State University.

East County News Service

August 21, 2019 (La Mesa) – The inaugural “ALS Challenge Me Slot Tournament,” a charity fundraiser benefiting the ALS Association Greater San Diego Chapter, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Valley View Casino & Hotel, 16300 Nyemii Pass Road, Valley Center.

By Melinda Myers

Photo via Melinda Myers, LLC

August 21, 2019 (San Diego) - End the growing season with an extra burst of color and nutrition with a few fall containers. A pot of mums or asters can add color to your front steps and a container filled with kale and greens adds fresh flavor to your fall meals.  But don’t stop there. Create attractive potted gardens by combining asters, mums, grasses, cool weather edibles and other fall beauties.

By Dan Morain and Lauren Rosenhaall | CalMatters

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Assemblywoman Shirley Weber stands to the left of Gov. Gavin Newsom at signing ceremony for her police use-of-force legislation. Photo by Dan Morain for CalMatters

August 21, 2019 (San Diego) - California will soon have a tougher new legal standard for the use of deadly force by police, under legislation Gov. Gavin Newsom signed today that was inspired by last year’s fatal shooting of a young, unarmed man in Sacramento.

East County News Service

August 20, 2019 (San Carlos) -- The next Second Sunday Community Concert on September 8th will be the Peter Pupping Band.  The band is composed of  Peter Pupping and William Wilson on guitar, Jeff Basile on upright bass, and Roy Gonzales on percussion.

Join us at our exciting new event, which we hope will be the first in a series.  Come be in the know about news shakinng up East County, and meet movers and shakers in our region! Just $16 in advance ($20 at the door).

EAST COUNTY MOVERS, SHAKERS & NEWSMAKERS

Thursday, August 29

• Reception (wine & foods from local restaurants*)  5 p.m.
• Program with our newsmakers/speakers  6 p.m.
• Plus prize drawings galore, museum tours, silent auction
• Musical entertainment by  Paul Nichols and Cindy Burnham

Heritage of the Americas Museum at Cuyamaca College

12110 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon

                                          (Museum entry is between the Water Conservation Garden's two driveways)

Speakers:

Jim Price, Pacific Southwest Railway Museum:  See a sneak preview of the railway’s Centennial Celebration coming up this fall , hear tales of the railroad's colorful past, and learn why it's called San Diego’s “Impossible Railway.”

Taylor O’Sullivan, Sullivan Solar Power: Sullivan’s project developer and NABCEP Certified Energy Practitioner will share info on the latest and greatest local solar trends including solar & storage technology, how to profit from new SDG&E time-of-use rates, and what residents can do to avoid missing out on the last year of a 30% federal tax credit.  Plus see a solar system on display.

Christina Whipple:  Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member on fire insurance options for property owners who receive nonrenewal notices

Barry Jantz, Stop Cottonwood Sand Mine: Hear the latest updates on a controversial proposal for a sand mine on the Sweetwater River at the site of the Cottonwood Golf Course, adjacent to homes and a federal wildlife preserve, also near schools and businesses.

Historical reenactor Victor Contreras will bring to life Bonifacio Lopez, cattle “king” from the 1800s, and speak on efforts to outreach to local schools and community groups with historical reenactments as we commemorate San Diego’s 250th birthday

Miriam Raftery and Paul Kruze,  Editor and Contributing Editor, East County Magazine: Hear the latest on breaking news stories & exciting events coming up, includng the opening of the Magnolia Performing Arts Center in East County.

Prize drawings with prizes galore, a silent auction, museum tours and more!

Buy tickets:  https://www.eastcountymedia.org/east-county-moversshakers#

General Admission: $16 in advance ($20 at the door); Students: $12.

Reserve early – seating is limited!

Questions? (619)698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org

Special thanks to our event's undewriter: Sullivan Solar Power