By E.A. Barrera

February 6, 2018 (San Diego) -- It is slightly less than 3,000 miles between the tiny village of Mompos, Colombia and Washington D.C. But of course it is in many ways farther then traveling to the moon. On a bright day in early 1961, my father, Ernesto Martin Barrera, and 16 other Colombian college students made the trip to America as part of a visiting tour of young leaders. They got to shake hands with a young American president who had his own dreams of trips to the moon, and they got to tour America.

Services to honor legendary firefighter are set for February 10th   

By Miriam Raftery

February 5, 2018 (San Diego) – William R. “Bill” Clayton led the firefight that saved Julian’s historic downtown during the 2003 Cedar Fire. Just days earlier, the Cal Fire Division Chief led efforts to save nearly 200 people trapped in the Valley View Casino during the Paradise Fire—after coming out of retirement shortly before those devastating firestorms. 

The most honored member of California’s state firefighting agency now known as Cal Fire, the division chief passed away in his sleep on Sunday, February 4^th, of natural causes.

Clayton received the most awards of any firefighter in Cal Fire history, including twice earning the Medal of Valor, the state’s highest award for bravery.

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo via Zimbio

February 5, 2018 (Minneapolis) - While most people groan at the fact that the Patriots made it to the big show again, a lot of us sports fans will remember the Super Bowl matchup in 2004 when the Patriots emerged victorious over the Eagles.  Now, 14 years later, the Eagles were ready for revenge.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

February 3, 2018 (San Diego) - After a hard few road games, SDSU men’s basketball came home tonight to host Air Force.  The Falcons aren’t too hot for a service academy, sitting at 10th in the Mountain West.

East County News Service

February 3, 2018 (San Diego) -- University of California professor Teddy Cruz, an immigrant from Guatemala, has been awarded a $100,000 Vilcek Foundation prize for designs that make cross-border communities more inclusive and equitable. 

Dept. of Fair Employment & Housing finds no violation of laws; Kalasho retains right to sue over alleged discrimination

By Miriam Raftery

February 3, 2018 (El Cajon) – The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), in a letter sent to El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho on January 22, advised that following an investigation, the agency has closed a complaint filed by Kalasho against the City of El Cajon, Mayor Bill Wells and Councilman Gary Kendrick.

Kalasho, who is of Iraqi descent, claimed he was harassed and discriminated against based on his national origin. “I was denied a work environment free of discrimination and/or retaliation and subjected to differential treatment,” he contended in his complaint.

East County News Service

February 2, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library in La Mesa will host “Fitness and Fun for Life!,” a free program on the County of San Diego’s Feeling Fit Club program and the Sharp Grossmont Mall Walker program, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28. The program is part of the library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free and RSVP is not necessary. Light refreshments will be served. Handouts will be available. The library is located at 9001 Wakarusa St.

By Kendra Sitton

February 1, 2018 (El Cajon) --- Activists praise the end of a ban on feeding the homeless, but continue advocating for further changes in El Cajon.

At a food sharing event organized by Food not Bombs and Breaking Bread on Saturday, Jan. 27, transients and volunteers filled Wells Park. There was a swathe of donated clothes, blankets, and hand sanitizer, as international media attention brought additional support to the advocates who have worked for months to repeal the ban. Houseless people filled plates with beans, chow mein, bread, peach cobbler, and a chocolate cake which read “solidarity not charity.”

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 1, 2018 (Spring Valley) – Thomas Jackson,28, has been arrested and charged with the murder of Aurice J. Turk, 25.  Turk was killed January 4^th around 9 p.m. in a reported fight near the Albertson’s on Campo Road in the Casa de Oro area of Spring Valley.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

It’s the Super Bowl and you’re the quarterback!

February 1, 2018 (San Diego) --  Whether you’re calling the shots at your home field or at a party somewhere else make sure to be a good sport and keep your “Safety” front and center at all times.

Your “Running Back” is in the kitchen. Help avoid a “False Start” with unhealthy foods. Everyone wants to keep their “Tight End” looking tight, so add healthy snacks to your menu instead of high-fat foods. You may want to consider that “Quarterback Sneak” and replace those buffalo wings and nachos with veggies and hummus or whole wheat pita chips. Let’s avoid that “Wide Receiver” if possible.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 1, 2018 (Santee) – Authorities seek public help to find this trailer stolen from the Coffee Corner coffee shop in the 9600 block of Carlton Hills Boulevard in Santee sometime between January 23rd and 24th. Its California license plate number is 4MC8836.

The owner estimates the loss of the trailer and its contents at nearly $18,000.