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

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!

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

Story and photos by Liz Alper

February 10, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Though Monarchs boys basketball is sporting a poor 8-16 record on the season, they hold a 2-5 record in Grossmont League play.  Tonight, the boys from the Vista hosted the Sultans of Santana, who hold a much better record of 14-11 overall and 4-4 in league play in the Monarchs’ last regular season game at home.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Dancers performed in front of ECPAC in its heydey.

February 9, 2017 (El Cajon) – The long-shuttered East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) may finally be reopened under management of Live Nation, which claims to be the global leader in live entertainment. According to the company’s website,  Live Nation operates in 7 nations, has produce shows in nearly 40 countries, and has a concert somewhere in the world every 20 minutes.

The El Cajon City Council will vote Tuesday, February 14^th at its 3 p.m. meeting on authorizing the City manager to negotiate a draft management agreement with Live Nation .  View agenda and attachments. 

East County News Service

February 8, 2017 (Boulevard) — Peggy Hayden, school office services coordinator at Clover Flat School on Old Highway 80 in Boulevard, send in these winter wonderland photos taken on January 23^rd at the school and at Manzanita Dulce Rd, also in Boulevard.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 8, 2017 (Spring Valley) – A 75-year-old man who was crossing Sweetwater Road north of Tyler Street in Spring Valley at 10 p.m. last night outside of a marked crosswalk was struck by a Mercedes. He died at the scene of his injuries.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (Lakeside) -- Eastbound Bar & Grill is turning seven on February 11^th and is throwing a birthday party with a lineup of events that aren’t to be missed!  Because everyone knows that no Eastbound celebrations are complete without the Pajama Brunch, live music, charitable giving and the annual Beer Belly Contest.

By Miriam Raftery

Listen now to our interviews, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link .

February  7, 2017 (Borrego Springs)—In April, the Anza-Borrego Foundation will celebrate its 50^th anniversary.  We recently interviewed Paige Rogowski, ABF’s executive director, on exciting events coming up to celebrate the occasion. In addition, we interviewed Diana Lindsay, a historian who has written extensively about Anza Borrego Desert State Park. 

They shared some fascinating history with us about our desert region, and the colorful characters from the region’s past, info on the State Park, as well as the Foundation’s successes and continuing efforts to purchase and preserve privately owned lands within the largest state park in California.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (Lakeside) - Robin Rierdan with the Lakeside Rive Park Conservancy will lead a series of four beautiful hikes through Lakeside. The first is this Friday, February 10^th along the Flume Trail in El Monte Valley.  Space is limited and registration is required by Thursday. Register here.

By Rachel Williams

February 5, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Falafel softly crackles and pops in the frying pan as the smell of tahini infuses the air at Cajon Terrace Apartments. While the kids practice their ABCs and numbers in their new living room, a Syrian husband and wife cook side by side.

By Mike Allen

February 4, 2017 (El Cajon) -- While many residents near El Cajon’s Gillespie Field decry an increase in activity from flight schools, proponents of a long-planned airport expansion say the project could generate thousands of high-paying, high tech jobs, and be a boon to East County.

Photo: The winter storms caused damage throughout the County such as flooding and this rockslide on Wynola Road in Julian.

Residents asked to report all storm damage: County has not reached level yet to get help for individuals or businesses

By Michele Clock, County of San Diego Communications

Photo: The winter storms caused damage throughout the County such as flooding and this rockslide on Wynola Road in Julian.

February 5, 2017 (San Diego) --The County of San Diego proclaimed a local emergency Friday, due to damage caused by the severe winter storms that hit the region late last month.

East County News Service

February 4, 2017 (La Mesa) - Melania Mirzakhanian announces the Grand Opening of Tomea Real Estate at 5575 Baltimore Drive #105 in La Mesa.  The community is invited to the office warming complete with appetizers, raffle prizes, and live music by the acclaimed singer-songwriter and recording artist, Mr. Gregory Page. 

East County News Service

February 4, 2017 (Lakeside) – It’s February and love is in the air – including at Lake Jennings, where photographer Scott Barnhill photographed a pair of nesting bald eagles.   He also captured dramatic images of other birds of prey in flight, fishing, and hunting, including the osprey catching a fish, shown here.  View more photos below, and see this link for a full gallery of images: 

http://www.csprophoto.com/Nature/Lake-Jennings/

You can meet the alpacas at an open house Feb. 11

By Mimi Pollack

Photos by Mimi Pollack and Dan Harrison

February 3, 2017 (Descanso) -- “David is a unicorn,” says Amy Alyeshmerni, referring to David Kabbai, her partner of six years in life, love, and business. ”Here is a man who owns a ranch, loves animals, and wants us to spend every other Friday with his mother for Shabbat dinner. How unusual is that? I am very lucky!”  

East County News Service

February 2, 2017 (Ramona) – An 83-year-old Poway man on a motorcycle was struck head-on by a Ford Crown Victoria that crossed the double yellow line on Highland Valley Road in Ramona this afternoon. The Poway man was ejected from the motorcycle and died at the scene.

East County News Service

February 1, 2017 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Conservations invites you to join a panel of experts to discuss a variety of opportunities for La Mesa residents to serve on boards and commissions, both with the City of La Mesa, and the County of San Diego.  The event will be held Wednesday, February 22^nd from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Masonic Lodge (4731 Date St.).