By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2019 (La Mesa)--Join us at our East County Dining Club’s next delicious event: a seafood soiree in the cozy party room at Red Lobster (8703 Murray Dr., La Mesa) across from Grossmont Center on Thursday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP and prepay  to reserve space for this popular event.

You don't have to be a member to attend, though members receive special benefits. Proceeds benefit East County Media to support East County Magazine and East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts.

Your options include not only delicious wood-grilled lobster, shrimp and salmon, but also sizzling steak, Cajun chicken pasta, and options for luscious desserts.

We will also have plentiful prizes for our drawing including Red Lobster and other restaurant gift certificates, winery gift certificate, a wine rack, jewelry, novels, cookbooks, spa gift certificates, coffee, hand-woven scarf, and more.

Source: County of San Diego

January 31, 2019 (Campo) -- The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order for the Lake Morena County Park water system located at 2550 Lake Morena Drive, Campo, effective immediately. The water system serves drinking water to recreational camping and RV sites, cabins, employee/volunteer housing, and public restrooms and showers.

By Maryanne Jackson

January 31, 2019 (La Mesa) – The Alma Future Foundation held a dinner on January 22nd at Tiramisu Trattoria restaurant in La Mesa to raise funds for an orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico.

Many Thanks to Tiramisu Trattoria owner David Chiodo, who kindly donated the use of his restaurant. Chef and host Giulia Croce (photo) kindly donated her time preparing an amazing five-course meal.

East County News Service

January 31, 2019 (Julian) – Jerome’s Furniture Warehouse surprised Julian's & Cuyamaca's firefighters with five brand new reclining chairs for the lounge at Station #56. Now after fighting fighters and saving lives, firefighters can put up their boots and relax in comfort.

January 30, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• ​​​We may finally know what causes Alzheimer’s – and how to stop it  (New Scientist)
• More young Californians dying of flu than in years past (Los Angeles Times)
• Harris backs 'Medicare-for-all' and eliminating private insurance as we know it (CNN)
• There's arsenic and lead in many brands of fruit juice. Should you be concerned? (NPR)
• 2018 was second worst year for measles cases in more than two decades (CNN)
• Washington state officials declare state of emergency as measles outbreak continues (NPR)
• Survey finds higher risk of stroke among e-cigarette users (NPR)
• FDA identifies contamination source in blood pressure medications used by millions (Washington Post)

SCIENCE & TECH

• Amazon facial-identification software used by police falls short on tests for accuracy and bias (Washington Post)
• Russia tries to force Facebook and Twitter to relocate servers to Russia (Ars Technica)
• To Keep African Swine Fever Out, Denmark Is Planning A Southern Boar(der) Fence (NPR)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

Mallory Adams finishes with 15 points and 21 rebounds

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

January 30, 2019 (Colorado Springs, Colo.) - The Aztec women’s basketball team (6-12, 1-6) fell at Air Force (8-12, 4-5) 75-66 Wednesday evening. Mallory Adams led the Aztecs with 15 points and 12 rebounds, her sixth double-double of the year.

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 30, 2019 (Lake Morena) - How about a fun, easy hike for the entire family?

The Nature Trail at Lake Morena County Park offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains and the lake. It’s just a half-mile and full of history. It even joins up with the popular Pacific Crest Trail!

Try out the trail here before hitting it with your family.

East County Supervisors Jacob and Desmond split on vote

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Courthouse building, courtesy of San Diego County

January 30, 2019 (San Diego) -- A temporary shelter for migrants will be set up in downtown San Diego at the old county courthouse slated for demolition – not at Camp Barrett, a former youth detention center in East County that was among several sites considered.

By a four to one vote, Supervisors voted to allow Jewish Family Services to lease the courthouse building for one dollar through December 31st.  The nonprofit group will reimburse the county for costs to open the migrant shelter and maintain the property near Balba Park on Sixth Avenue, and advised Supervisors that it has already secured funds.

Story by Liz Alper

Photos by Don De Mars

January 29, 2019 (El Cajon) - We’re back at the home of the Braves this week, but this time for a boys’ game.  The Braves are struggling a little bit at 9-12 overall (2-4 in league) coming into tonight’s game against the school a couple of blocks away from them, Granite Hills.  The Eagles aren’t doing so great either; they sported a .500 record in league play coming into tonight (3-3) but overall, were at 8-13.

East County News Service 

January 28, 2019 5:10 p.m. (Cuyamaca) -- A controlled burn in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park has jumped out of control, NBC 7 reports. Cal Fire has not confirmed this but the Cal Fire Twitter feed states that Cal Fire is assisting State Parks with this burn.

The burn began in the 13000 block of Highway 79 and is currently burning near I-8 east at Japatul Valley. 

East County News Service

Photo:  (from left to right) Steve Becvar, ALS; Paul Negulescu, Vertex; Keith Miller (wearing Santa hat), ALS; Peter Grootenhuis, Vertex.

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

January 28, 2019 (San Diego) - The San Diego State volleyball team has released the dates of its 2019 summer camps set to take place at Peterson Gym on the SDSU campus. Camp registration starts at $99 and camp dates run between July 11 - July 21.

East County News Service

January 28, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Love knows no timeline. For up to 75 couples looking to refresh their commitments to each other, Parkway Plaza regional shopping mall in El Cajon is celebrating love with a first-of-its-kind marriage vow renewal ceremony.  On Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m., Center Court will be transformed into a chapel of love complete with flowers, music, champagne, cake and more. Up to 75 couples will join the Rev. Drummond Macomber, a non-denominational minister who is well-known for his community involvement.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 28, 2019 (San Diego) -- On Feb. 3, the Los Angeles Rams will face the New England Patriots in the 2019 Super Bowl LIII. Millions of Americans will get together to root against the Patriots — ahem, I mean, to watch the game!