By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

February 14, 2017 (Lakeside) -- “I came for a date,” long-time customer Norm Ferreira said, recalling his first experience at East Bound Bar and Grill in Lakeside seven years ago. “The date didn’t last, but the restaurant did.”

By Jonathan Goetz

February 14, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- Newly elected Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez forwarded to a list of committee assignments for Council members to a dramatically altered City Council following the November elections.

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2017 (San Diego) – It’s tough to top the extreme storms that hit our region in January. But this weekend, the National Weather Service warns that storm conditions starting Thursday night could be as severe as the January 20^th downpour—with additional hazards including a tornado that could strike coastal or inland San Diego County on Saturday.

Prominent Republicans and Democrats call for investigation into Trump administration’s Russia ties, but Intelligence Committee chair blocks effort

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2017 (Washington D.C.) — Resignation last night of President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor Michael Flynn raises disturbing questions:

East County News Service

February 14, 2017 (San Diego) – The Pacific Southwest Wildlife Arts, Inc. (PSWA) will present its 44th annual California Open Wildlife Art Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18 and 19, at Liberty Station in San Diego’s Point Loma area. The festival, open to the public, will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both weekend days at Liberty Station’s Corky McMillin Event Center, NTC Promenade, 2875 Dewey Road, San Diego. Admission is $5 per person per day, and children under 12 years of age are free. For more information, visit www.PSWA.net.

Crash raises concerns from flight school neighbors

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2017 (Ramona) – A Cessna registered to the American Aviation Academy and flying out of Gillespie Field as an instructor/student flight on Sunday crashed onto a mountainside in Ramona, killing Shaira Noor, 21, of Bangladesh. She had been training at the academy for nine months. Noor was in the backseat of the Cessna and was impaled by a tree on impact, which killed her instantly.

Two other occupants survived, climbing to an elevated area and using cell phones to call for help, the Sheriff’s department reports.

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Steve Gardner and his son with their newly adopted dog.

February 13, 2017 (San Diego) - Love is in the air at County Animal Services. Adopt any dog through Valentine’s Day and get half off the adoption fees. Then pucker up for the Valentine’s Day kissing booth!

Quiet Thoughts, by Jacqueline Carr (Creatspace, 2016, 60 pages)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or

the mirror that reflects it.”

- Edith Wharton -

February 13, 2017 (San Diego) - Jacqueline Carr, who has been a freelance contributor to the East County Magazine in San Diego – having written a review of New York Times Bestselling author Caitlin Rother’s book Naked Addiction, has now written her own book, Quiet Thoughts. This splendid and insightful book of poetry, is reflective of Carr’s background as an Adjunct Instructor at York College (CUNY), and literary enthusiast. She is also the author of another book on poetry, A Selected Few Just For You.

East County News Service

February 13, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – This year’s heavy rains may result in one of the most spectacular wildflower seasons in recent memory in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. 

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Gutierrez with his wife Janice and daughter Mila courtesy Gabe Gutierrez.

February 13, 2017 (San Diego) - He thought he was healthy.

By Miriam Raftery

February 12, 2017 (San Diego) – Heavy winter rains have taken a toll on roadways across California and here in San Diego County, leaving state and local governments scrambling to find funds for repairs.

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By Liz Alper

Photo via @SDGullsAHL on Twitter

February 12, 2017 (San Diego) - The 25-13-2-2 Gulls came home tonight to face the Bakersfield Condors in the first Gulls game televised on Fox 5 San Diego as part of a partnership between the television station and the Gulls.  Read more about this here.

SDSU records 20 hits in weekend finale

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo:  West Hills High graduate Katie Byrd and Zaria Meshack (right) combined for six of SDSU's 20 hits in a 16-7 win over Weber State.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

February 12, 2017 (Los Angeles) - The San Diego State softball team scored the first 10 runs of the game and the final six in a 16-7 victory over Weber State in the final game of UCLA’s Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament Sunday in Los Angeles. The Aztecs (2-3), who came into Sunday with 28 hits through their first four games, had 20 today in the victory.

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February 12, 2017 (San Diego) - SDSU men's basketball returned home after a loss against San Jose State to play host to the Wolf Pack of Nevada in a Sunday matinee on White Out Day.