Photos:  East County Chamber President Eric Lutz and three fresh faces running for local offices:  Laura Koval for Santee City Council, Teresa Rosiak-Profitt for both Lemon Grove Council and Grossmont-Cuyamaca school board, and Jeff Griffith for State Senate.

By Miriam Raftery

September 1, 2018 (El Cajon)—Some 20 candidates and public officials flocked to “Politics in Paradise” hosted by several local chambers of commerce Thursday night at the Water Conservation Garden.

This year, the format did not include a panel discussion or questions, but rather guests had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with candidates. Each candidate also had 30 seconds to introduce themselves, with moderator Barry Jantz indicating any who ran over would get the “hook.”  Most gave just the basics – name, what they’re running for and how to find them – though a few managed to get some zingers in.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

August 31, 2018 (Spring Valley) - Chugging along, week three of ECM Friday Night Lights takes us to Spring Valley for the first time in 2018, where the Monte Vista Monarchs, led by their explosive senior running back and SDSU commit Jahmon McClendon, took on the Patriots of Patrick Henry, who are coming off an embarrassing 43-0 loss to Morse last week.  McClendon scored five rushing touchdowns in the Monarchs’ 48-21 win over University City last week.  You might recall this matchup from last year, when ECM Sports reported on McClendon’s five rushing touchdowns that beat Patrick Henry 34-27.  This year, however, McClendon wouldn’t let the Pats even touch the Monarchs.

East County News Service

August 31, 2018 (Lakeside) – Lake Jennings in Lakeside is hosting Spooky Camp-o-Ween events the two weekends before Halloween, Oct. 19-21 and Oct. 26-28, complete with ghost stories, s’mores, a campsite decorating contest, trick or treating and creepy crafts.

Source: Cal Fire

August 30, 2018 (Lakeside) -- On Monday, San Diego Unit CAL FIRE law enforcement officers arrested Daniel Reyes Ortega, 21, a transient in Lakeside. Ortega was booked on charges of willfully and maliciously setting fire to forest land. The arrest and was made with cooperation of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

East County News Service

August 29, 2018 (El Cajon) – Alley Cat Art Walk will take place on Friday, September 14^th from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.  It’s the purr-fect place for lovers of arts and music, plus you can enjoy wine tasting, a beer garden, artisan crafts booths, boutique vendors, live music and children’s activities in addition to fine art.

The event’s activities will be held in Arts Alley between Main and Rea streets, as well as surrounding street.  Alley Cat Art Walk is sponsored by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center and supported by a San Diego County Community Enhancement grant.

East County News Service

August 29, 2018 (Alpine) — The Alpine Chamber of Commerce invites you to come celebrate Alpine’s history at the Alpine Historical Society’s Museum (2116 Tavern Road in Alpine) on September 5th at 5:30 p.m. Baron’s Market will provide hors-d’oeuvres and Rock Canyon Vineyards will provide wine tasting.  

Next meeting set for Sept. 6 in Lakeside as community seeks solutions to its growing homelessness problem

By Ana Nita

View video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOWE1HAQS7c&feature=youtu.be

August 29, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Eric J. Lund, Director of the East County Homeless Task Force and CEO of the East County Chamber of Commerce, announced last week that East County will receive $2 million out of the $18.8 million in state funding for San Diego County to solve the homelessness problem.

By Sgt. K. Trotter, El Cajon Police

August 28, 2018 (El Cajon) — As we enter the final stretch of summer spending time at the pool or barbequing with friends and family, El Cajon Police Department is driving home the importance of celebrating responsibly by not driving, or riding a motorcycle, impaired. 

East County News Service

August 28, 2018 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to “shop with joy and purpose” at the annual La Mesa Fair Trade Shopping event on Sunday, October 14^th from 8 a.m. to 1 :30 p.m. at St. Martin of Tours Parish Hall, 7710 El Cajon Blvd. in La Mesa.  La Mesa.  Enjoy Fair Trade Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and lots of samples while perusing the aisles of hand made baskets, jewelry, purses, belts, wallets, handbags, jackets, scarves, toys, pottery, Christmas ornaments, gift baskets, coffee, tea, chocolate and lots more from many vendors.

Update August 29, 2018: The victim has been identified as Susana Gotell, 41, of Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

August 28, 2018 (Lakeside) – A woman jogging on North Woodside Avenue near Riverford Road in Santee was struck by a Chevy work truck driven by Michael Woodfill, 46, tonight at 6:40 p.m.  

Susana Gotell, 41, was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital with major injuries, but died shortly after arrival.  She was the mother of two teens, ages 16 and 18, Fox 5 News reports.

East County News Service

August 27, 2018 (Ramona) - Gregory Page & pianist Sky Ladd will perform at the Schwaesdall Winery September 22nd from 1-4 p.m. for an afternoon of vintage and perhaps even some brand-new music on the vineyard stage. To borrow Gregory's famous lyrics: "Let's wine & dine" on Schwaesdall's estate wines and artisan pizzas while savoring music from the GP Duo.  

East County News Service

August 26, 2018 (El Cajon) — A suspected drunk driver died after crashing into a tree and a retaining wall near the intersection of East Main and North Second Street in El Cajon early Saturday morning. The driver of the vehicle, a Hyundai, fled from California Highway Patrol Officers who tried to pull him over after they spotted him speeding and weaving on eastbound Interstate 8 near Severin Drive around 2 a.m.

East County News Service

August 22, 2018 (Descanso) -- Throughout the New World, the indigenous peoples of the Americas cooked in the earth. The original use of buried cooking in ground pits was done by the Native Americans for thousands of years.

By Miriam Raftery

August 22, 2018 (El Cajon) — A hiker on the Sycuan reservation came upon the scene of a fatality accident at 8 a.m. and notified authorities. 

East County News Service

August 21, 2018 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will present the 48th annual Ramona Country Fair, Thursday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 26, at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane, Ramona. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per carload. Fair hours are: 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23, 5 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26.