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Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 10, 2018 (Spring Valley) - While college March Madness is fun, high school March Madness is proving to be just as exciting as tonight, the Patriots of Christian High School traveled to Spring Valley to face the Matadors of Mount Miguel in a 12 vs. 13-seed Division IV matchup in the CIF Southern Sectional state playoff quarterfinals. A tough but fun contest awaited; the Patriots were an almost spotless 11-1 in league play coming into tonight’s game and 22-9 overall.  Compare that to Mount Miguel’s perfect 8-0 record in the Grossmont League and 31-4 record and this was going to be a fun game.

By Paul Kruze

March 9, 2018 (El Cajon) -- As though the water couldn’t get any hotter for embattled El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho, he is now facing accusations that he is illegally shielding his personal assets, prior to an anticipated August trial on allegations that he sexually harassed two beauty pageant participants in 2016, among other claims.

The plaintiffs’ attorney, Jimmie Davis Parker, asserts that Kalasho made false real estate filings in order to hide assets that could potentially be sought to satisfy a legal judgment, should Kalasho lose the case. (View documents.) 

Filing false real estate documents is a felony crime in California, though it is not yet determined whether the allegation is true.

East County News Service

March 9, 2018 (Borrego Springs) – Back by popular demand at the Anza Borrego Foundation’s Front Porch Revue on March 17^th and 18^th at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, Jimmy Smith promises this year will be even more outrageous than last time as he gathers the talent in Borrego together.  Enjoy a night of laughter, music, and good spirits, all in support of the work Anza-Borrego Foundation does in partnership with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

By Pat Landis, President

Photo, left:  Julian Women's Club president Pat Landis, past president Marion Moore and California Federation Area Membership VP Stephanie Stark

March 8, 2018 (Julian) - On March 5^th at a Scholarship Luncheon, the Julian Woman’s Club honored eleven women who have been members of the club from twenty to forty years. Eight are past presidents of the club and several others have served as officers at the District and State level of the California Federation of Women’s Clubs. These are truly exceptional women.

Update March 11, 2018:  "Bubbles" has been found in a canyon near the pet store from which she escaped.

By Miriam Raftery

March 8, 2018 (Spring Valley) – “Bubbles,” a 35-pound, 5 and a half feet long black-throated monitor lizard has been missing from Mike’s Pets at 8300 Paradise Valley Road in Spring Valley since Sunday, March 4^th.

According to reports on 10 News and Patch.com, Bubbles was last seen on a security camera strolling from his cage that he had apparently slipped out of through a small opening, toward the back door of the shop.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type in “Sports” as your donation!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 7, 2018 (La Mesa) - The Grossmont-Helix rivalry may not be as strong in lacrosse as it is in other sports, but the hate was still there as the boys from both schools took the field tonight in the first conference matchup of the season.  The Highlanders are 2-1 overall and undefeated (1-0) in league, while the Foothillers remain undefeated at 1-0 in each category coming into tonight.  

By Miriam Raftery

March 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Four patients were transported via air and ground ambulances following a crash near I-8 and Japatul Valley Road this morning, according to Cal Fire. 

The collision occurred shortly before 11 a.m. after Border Patrol agents attempted to stop a Ford Expedition traveling west on I-8 near Buckman Springs Road. The driver sped off at a high rate of speed and lost control as he encountered slowed traffic, becoming airborne, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

By Miriam Raftery

March 6, 2018 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to join the La Mesa Conversations leadership and your neighbors to discuss upcoming events including panels on healthcare, homeless and education—and hear your ideas.

Enjoy no-host cocktail or food and stimulating conversations at this event on Sunday, March 11 from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Hooley's Irish Pub and Grill, 5500 Grossmont Center Dr #247 (near Macy's and Chuze Fitness), La Mesa in the Guinness Room.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type in “Sports” as your donation!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 6, 2018 (El Cajon) - Basketball playoffs are, for the most part, over (except for state playoffs and hats off to Mount Miguel and Foothills Christian boys basketball and good luck to them), so now it’s time for spring sports.  El Cajon Valley girls softball kicked off their season against the (sort of in East County) Crawford Colts.

By Miriam Raftery

March 5, 2018 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police officers responding to a call reporting a domestic dispute on Grape Street this morning had a dog charge at them and fired shots, but did not strike the animal.

La Mesa Patch.com reports that while one officer fired shots, the other officer was able to get the dog into the patrol car, according to Lieutenant Chad Bell.

East County News Service

March 5, 2018 (Santee) – The Santee Chamber of Commerce, currently celebrating its 63rd anniversary, recently announced recipients of its 2017 annual awards. Honorees included community members and local businesses. Recipient of community awards included: Dustin Trotter, owner, TDT Construction, 2017 Person of the Year; Santee Young Professionals, Special Chairman’s Award; Robert “Bob” Lloyd, Sr., owner, Lloyds Collision & Paint Center, Chairman’s Award; Kathryn Ducharme, Santee School District, Educator of the Year; Elana Levens-Craig, Santee-Lakeside Rotary Club, Rotarian of the Year; Paul Stevens, Kiwanis Club of Santee, Kiwanian of the Year; William Chisum, Rancho Santee Lions, Lion of the Year; Deputy Daniel Psomas, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy of the Year; Captain Chris Thompson, Santee Fire Department, Firefighter of the Year.

By Miriam Raftery

March 5, 2018 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Community Planning Group meets Wednesday, March 7^th at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine Street. The agenda includes discussion of homeless encampments in the riverbed, county road maintenance priorities, proposed cell sites and a request for exemption from undergrounding powerlines, among other items.

View the full agenda here.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: “Passing Through Borrego,” by Arizona oil painter Robert Goldman

March 2, 2018 (Borrego Springs) – “I am proud to be the 2018 Curator for the Borrego Art Institute 12th Annual Plein Air Invitational paint-out and exhibit,” says Shannon O’Dunn.  “Fifteen artists in oils, pastel, and watercolors will be in painting the field all week, March 5-9.” 

By Miriam Raftery

File photo: Students testified to GUHSD board on behalf of an Alpine High School, before board reversed its decision to build the school.

March 2, 2018 (Alpine) – In a joint press release, the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD), Alpine Union High School District (AUSD) and Alpine Taxpayers for Bound Accountability (ATBA) announced a resolution to end the prolonged legal battle over the never-built Alpine High School.

The AUSD and ATBA have agreed not to appeal to the state Supreme Court, after an appeals court ruled on behalf of Grossmont that an enrollment requirement to build the school had not been met and that therefore, Grossmont is not obligated to build the school.  In exchange, the GUHSD has agreed not to seek recovery of its court costs from the Alpine district or the Alpine taxpayers group.