By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2017 (Escondido) -- Libraries are vital sources of information for students, researchers, and the public.  But now, the city of Escondido has voted to privatize its public library on Kalmia Street by hiring Library Systems, a Maryland-based company, over the objections of the library’s trustees. The city claims it could save $400,000 a year through private operation of the library.

East County News Service

November 23, 2017 (San Diego) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of seven California winners participating in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge. Winners include Sprouts Farmers Markets in Daly City and Carlsbad, Calif., Ramona High School in Ramona, Calif., Food Forward in North Hollywood, Calif., Cherokee Point Elementary School in San Diego, Calif., the City of San Diego and the San Diego International Airport.

By Jonathan Goetz and Miriam Raftery

November 14, 2017 (San Diego) -- Another mass shooting has occurred, this time northern California, where a gunman killed four people  and injured 10 before being shot dead in a shoot-out with law enforcement on Tuesday.

Local shipping business pledges 50 percent of Nov. 4 grand reopening proceeds to Santana High School Band and Color Guard

By Vinny Lavalsiti and Matthew Ochoa, reprinted with permission from The Summit at Grossmont College

Images: property of The Summit and Grossmont College's Graphic design program

October 10, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Martha Amezcua was nine when she came to the United States, and she didn't know a lick of English, creating a hefty language barrier between her and her classmates once she enrolled in school. Her silence, because of the language barrier, led to a lot bullying.

New data reveals dramatic surge in completion rates following college’s policy transformation

East County News Service

October 2, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) -- The California Acceleration Project (CAP) today released its latest report in a series highlighting California community colleges that are successfully transforming their remediation policies. Leading the Way spotlights Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, where completion of transferable, college-level math has increased almost seven-fold among students previously classified “remedial.”

East County News Service

September 20, 2017 (Rancho San Diego)--The 2017 edition of the Fall Concert Series at Cuyamaca College will include a trio of world-class musicians from as far away as New York who will perform the first in an ongoing calendar of classic concerts underwritten by a well-known patron of the arts.

Screenings find heart abnormalities in 1 of 300 teens tested

East County News Service

September 13, 2017 (Lakeside) – Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs when a heart unexpectedly stops beating because of an undetected heart abnormality. To combat this syndrome, which is a leading cause of death in people under age 25 and the #1 killer of student athletes, the Eric Paredes Save a Life Foundation is hosting a free heart screening on Sunday, September 17th from 9 am. to 3 p.m. at El Capitan High School (10410 Ashwood St. Lakeside, CA 92040).

By Iveth Estrada, provided by Grossmont Community College District

Reprinted with permission from San Diego Jewish World

September 11, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Iveth Estrada didn’t know she was an undocumented immigrant until shortly before she enrolled at Cuyamaca College. She didn’t know while growing up with her family in Spring Valley. She didn’t know while competing with the varsity swim and water polo teams at Monte Vista High School.

East County News Service

September 4, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Music Department will present "Salsa Under the Stars," a fundraiser for student scholarships and a CD release celebration for music instructor and internationally known salsa bandleader, composer and recording artist Manny Cepeda.

East County News Service

September 4, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Hispanic Heritage Month at the two East County colleges is celebrated from mid-September to Nov. 1 with free events that are open to the public.

Free opportunities include entertaining assemblies and more

East County News Service

August 28, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - As students return to class across the region, the San Diego County Water Authority is offering schools, teachers and students an array of water-themed resources, including several that are free.

By Mike Allen

August 27, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- When West Hills High School in Santee replaced its artificial turf field in April, the feeling among the school’s administrators, staff and students was positive.

The old artificial football field in the school’s signature Wolf Pack blue had been wearing down, and needed upgrading, said West Hills Athletic Director Don Rutledge.

East County News Service

August 26, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) - Leaders of the thriving Chaldean community in San Diego’s East County will be on hand for a special Chaldean Culture & Traditions celebration at Cuyamaca College on Monday, Aug. 28.