East County News Service

January 30, 2017 (La Mesa) – When La Mesa’s old police station was torn down and a new one built on the site of the aging County library that was torn down, a modest new library was built that was intended to be temporary, with a larger, new library proposed to be built on the site of the old police station. But a decade after efforts to build a new library began, the interim library building remains, with no plans yet submitted for a replacement—much to the consternation of library patrons advocating for a more spacious facility to meet modern needs.

By Miriam Raftery

File photo:  Prayer vigil for Iraqi Christians in El Cajon

January 28, 2017 (El Cajon) – President Donald Trump’s sweeping order restricting refugees from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. has been greeted with optimism by some in San Diego’s Chaldean Christian community, since Trump has stated on a Christian broadcasting station that he would give priority to persecuted Christians, after a tougher vetting process is implemented.

Mark Arabo, president of the Minority Humanitarian Foundation in San Diego, voices hope that the order could help save lives of Christians facing death at the hands of ISIS in the Middle East.  An estimated 400,000 Iraqi Christians have fled Iraq and another 80,000 have been killed or tortured, some by crucifixion and beheadings 

Some have suggested Trump's order could be unconstitutioal for discriminating against Muslims.

Arabo, while hopeful to get help for persecuted Christians,  also expressed a wish for the order to be expanded to protect other people persecuted by ISIS, regardless of their faiths.

By Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon

January 27, 2017 (El Cajon) – Here are the latest civic and community events, announcements, and information from the City of El Cajon.

East County News Service

January 27, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Helix Water Board has some important matters to consider at its next two meetings.  On Monday, January 30^th at 6 p.m., the board will interview applicants and appoint a new director to fill a vacancy on the board.  Then on Wednseday, February 1^st at 6 p.m., ,the agenda includes a discussion of the County Water Authority’s declaration finding the drought is over in San Diego County—and what actions the Helix District should consider taking to ease water use restrictions on ratepayers.

East County News Service

January 26, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Last night, a suspect brandishing a handgun got into the backseat of a vehicle driven by a couple who had driven into a parking lot at the Keg N Bottle liquor store on Massachusetts Avenue in Lemon Grove. The suspect demanded cash, then exited the vehicle after getting money and fired several rounds.

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Eight finalists in Santee council appointment await questions from council.

January 26, 2017 (Santee) -- Brian Jones, a former state Assemblyman and ex-Santee Councilman, is returning to his old job again. He was appointed by the City Council after a five-hour interview process that began last night and stretched into the early morning hours

East County News Service

January 26, 2017 (Santee) –  Last night at 11:09 p.m., a caller reported hearing smashing sounds of windows breaking and car alarms going off outside her residence in the 9300 block of Carlton Oaks Drive in Santee. She went outside and saw a white older model Ford Explorer; its occupants were throwing rocks or using some weapon to hit vehicles parked on the street.

East County News Service

Photo:  City of Poway tweeted this image of a boulder that shut down Poway Road

January 24, 2017 (Sacramento) — Governor Jerry Brown today issued an emergency declaration for San Diego County and 56 other California counties hard-hit by the recent winter storms. 

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 25, 2017 (La Mesa) - The Helix High varsity boys soccer team is off to a decent start in conference play with only one tie.  The 6-2-4 overall Highlanders stayed at home today and faced El Capitan.  The Vaqueros are 0-1 in league play and 5-5-1 overall.

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (Santee) – A woman pedestrian around 50 years old was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured Friday, January 20th around 5:35 p.m. while crossing Magnolia Avenue in front of the 7-11 store on Woodside Avenue.

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Helix Water Talks is the Helix Water District’s new series of facility tours and panel discussions to give customers an inside look at how it provides a safe and reliable water supply – from the science and engineering to the policies and operations. The series begins with “On Demand: How We Deliver Water” on January 28 in El Cajon.

See below for details:

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon will hold public hearings tonight, January 24, and again on February 14th to approve criteria for creating City Council District boundaries and a schedule for establishing district elections. 

East County News Service

January 24, 2017 (Santee) -- The Start Smart Program is an opportunity for new drivers and their parents/guardians to clearly understand their responsibilities when a teen starts to drive. “If you are a teen or know a teen who can benefit from this class please click on the following link for more information http://sdsheriff.net/co_startsmart.html,” says Martha Miramontes, Crime Prevention Specialist with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept.

Source: City of La Mesa

January 23, 2017 (La Mesa) -  In an on-going commitment to communicate with residents, the La Mesa City Council will host two Town Hall Meetings. These open-forum sessions provide an opportunity for citizens to share their concerns, ideas, and opinions on issues in their neighborhood and throughout the City.  

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Don Lumb

January 22, 2017 (Alpine) – A towering eucalyptus tree has toppled onto a patio roof at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building in Alpine.  The VRW center is located at 944 Tavern Road.  Don Lumb sent these photos; no other details are  immediately available.