East County News Service

December 26, 2016 (Palomar) – Lori Saldaña originally posted these fairy tale-like Christmas morning images on Facebook, with a message reading, “A very Merry Christmas morning to all. Here is my very So Cal Christmas view: snow on the ridge above, trees all around, sun in the valley below. May you enjoy the day with loved ones doing what brings you joy!”

December 30, 2016 (San Diego's East County)-- Our November 2016 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics an interviews, click here (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

You can hear our reporting on election outcomes and analysis of Trump’s victory, interviews with San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra Director Anthony Mostardo, San Miguel Fire Board candidates,  La Mesa Chamber President Mary England, and more.

 The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  The shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.  Read more and listen to our November shows:

East County News Service

December 30, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - Two storms are set to douse our region this weekend. The first is forecast to arrive Friday morning and continue Friday night, followed by the second storm Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning.

December 30, 2016 (San Diego's East County)-- Our October 2016 radio shows are now online. For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics an interviews, click here (Sound files may take a few moments to load).

You can hear our interviews with an arborist on efforts to save dying oak trees, investigative journalist Greg Palast on his documentary film predicting theft of the presidential election, candidates for local offices, Bobby Wallace from Barona on efforts to help the Standing Rock Sioux, and top stories across East County.

 The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  The shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.  Read more and listen to our October shows:

East County News Service

December 29, 2016 (Lemon Grove) – The next History Alive lecture in the Lemon Grove Library has been moved to January 14 at 2 p.m.  Lemon Grove Historical Society is partnering with the Lemon Grove Library to present master nurse and noted lecturer, Donna Vitale Lupinacci, in a riveting words-and-pictures look at "The Influenza Pandemic of 1917-18 and Its Aftermath."  As "Spanish Flu" swept the globe, no community was exempt from its effects, including Lemon Grove.

Source: San Diego Chargers

Photo courtesy chargers.com

December 29, 2016 (San Diego) - The San Diego Chargers announced their team awards on Thursday and cornerback Casey Hayward led the way, earning team MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Also honored were Melvin Gordon (Offensive Player of the Year), Darrell Stuckey (Special Teams Player of the Year), Matt Slauson and Joey Bosa (co-Linemen of the Year) and Brandon Mebane (Most Inspirational Player).

Source: Caltrans

December 28, 2016 (San Diego) -- Crews will close multiple lanes on northbound Interstate 15 (I-15) from State Route 52 (SR-52) to Ammo Road and on northbound State Route 163 from SR-52 to I-15 tonight and Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., weather permitting. At least one northbound lane will remain open on each highway.

East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – These are the people whose actions made headlines across our region this year—community leaders and ordinary citizens who worked tireless to help others, whose actions led to changes in our communities, or the promise of changes in the future.

By Miriam Raftery

December 28, 2016 (San Diego) - San Diego Republican Party Chairman Tony Krvaric has named a new acting executive director, Sage Naumann.  But there’s controversy surrounding the appointment due to photos of Naumann making Nazi jokes while wearing a German military uniform for Halloween seven years ago in 2009, when he was 18 years old. 

East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a New Year’s Eve Party, New Year’s day hikes in local state parks, a Joe Rathburn concert, and trivia nights at a winery!

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including a family fun fest, vintage train rides, a classic movie night, a writers’ conference, and a stage production of “What the Butler Saw.”

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

December 27, 2016 (La Mesa) - Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present “What the Butler Saw," a classic British farce opening January 20^th and running through Feb. 19^th. 

When a psychiatrist tries to seduce an aspiring secretary, his botched efforts lead to comic bedlam involving his insatiable wife, a randy bellhop, a befuddled police officer and Sir Winston Churchill. Psychiatry, religion, marriage, government, definitions of gender and even language are all targets of British playwright Orton's poison pen. His sly jokes and hilarious shenanigans will have you shaking with laughter from start to finish.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  redshirt junior Adekunle Ayinde is congratulated coming off the field after his fourth quarter interception.  Via @GopherFootball on Twitter

December 27, 2016 (San Diego) - University of Minnesota football players showed up to play in this year’s National Funding Holiday Bowl.  However, 10 of them did not.  Ten Golden Gopher football players were suspended for an alleged sexual assault that happened in September.  The team boycotted practice on December 15 and a petition that reach over 1,200 signatures was filed against Golden Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys, calling for his firing after how he handled the boycott and the situation with his players.

Alas, the Gophers showed up to play against the Cougars on Tuesday and San Diego had another bowl game on their hands.

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – California has hundreds of new laws taking effect in on January 1, 2017, impacting employment, education, gun rights, health, housing, criminal justice, consumers, motor vehicle drivers, elections, youth sports, and more. Here are some of the most important new laws you should know about before ringing in the New Year:

Source: Alpine Fire Dept.

Photos:  District Legal Counsel Steve Fitch administers oath of office to incumbent Alpine Fire Board member Thomas “Jim”  Mann (left) and new member Steve Taylor (right).

December 27, 2016 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Fire Protection District swore-in two Board members at the December 20, 2016 Board meeting.  Incumbent Thomas “Jim” Mann took the oath for his second 4-year term on the Fire Board.  New Board member Steve Taylor was sworn in for a 4-year term as well. Both Board members were the top two vote getters in a 5 person race for two seats on the Fire Board.  Both Board members were sworn in by District Legal counsel Steve Fitch.  Outgoing Board member Mary Fritz did not seek re-election.  Board member Fritz was thanked by staff, the firefighters and her fellow Board members for her many years serving on the Fire Board.