East County News Service

Photo: California National Guard

April 11, 2018 (San Diego)— Governor Jerry Brown has approved a request from President Donald Trump to send National Guard troops to the international border, funded by the federal government to combat “lawlessness,” according to the President’s request.

But in his response to the Trump administration, Brown indicated that the 400 troops sent by California will be utilized not for immigration enforcement, but rather for “new staffing will allow the Guard to do what it does best: support operations targeting transnational criminal gangs, human traffickers and illegal firearm and drug smugglers along the border, the coast and throughout the state,” threats that are priorities for both Democrats and Republicans, including two prior administrations, Brown noted.

East County News Service

April 11, 2018 (Spring Valley) -- Liberty Call Distilling marks four years of crafting award-winning rums, whiskey and gin with its 4^th Anniversary Party on Saturday, April 28. Taking place from 2 to 6 p.m. throughout the distillery in Spring Valley, festivities will include music, food and drink alongside a massive release of new spirits not found anywhere else but the distillery.

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2018 (Pala) – If you see smoke emanating from the northeast portion of San Diego County April 25^th through 27^th, be aware that the annual Wildland Fire Preparedness Exercise will be conducted on the Pala Indian reservation in coordination with San Diego County Fire Chiefs and numerous emergency services agencies from across the County.

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – House Speaker Paul Ryan has announced that he will not seek reelection, the Washington Post reports. 

Some political pundits have speculated that predictions that Democrats may take back control of Congress after the November mid-term elections could have been a factor in Ryan’s decision.

By Miriam Raftery

April 11, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a Kidz Danz Company production of The Constitution, a Warbirds Expo at Gillespie Field, Sweet Pea Day at Summers Past Farms, the Jamul Hot Rod and Chili Cook-off, Heritage of the Americas Museum’s anniversary celebration, a harp recital at Mission Trails, the Cajon Classic Cruise season opener in El Cajon, and a Lilac Festival in Wynola.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a meteor shower watch, a furry friends hike, an antique and crafts show, San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert, Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days parade, a Spring Garden and Butterfly Festival, the San Diego Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert, Renaissance music at Mission Trails, outdoor concerts in El Cajon, and winetasting at Vintage Alpine.

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

By Robert Cooper

Photo by Navid Nader

April 10, 2018 (San Diego) -- On April 14, San Diego’s science supporters will once again join the region’s world-leading scientists in the second annual March For Science! This unique and free event will take place at Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Hwy at 10 AM and is aimed at all audiences. It promises something for anyone who likes science, with educational speakers, a family-friendly science expo, and a march full of creative signs and costumes.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

April 10, 2018 (El Cajon) - ECM Sports couldn’t forget about prep baseball; it’s our reporter’s favorite spring sport to cover and in our first baseball game of 2018, we headed to El Cajon Valley. The Braves sport a decent .500 (4-4) record coming into league play in today’s game against West Hills.  The Pack, on the other hand, need to get things going heading into league as they’re 4-9 to start the season.  Sophomore Joseph Thrailkill took the mound for the Wolf Pack against senior Jesus Favela for the Braves.

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

April 7, 2018 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon City Council members temporarily set aside their differences and got down to work Tuesday in what some say was one of their most productive sessions in recent months.

By Eric Bartl

April 8, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Smiles are returning to the faces of children in El Cajon when they see Stoney’s Neighborhood Park, which reopened Thursday in front of the El Cajon branch of the County library.

The park had been closed since mid-December for a construction/park improvement project.

Aztecs outhit Rebels 11-7 in the loss

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Kelsey Munoz had four hits in SDSU's 3-2 loss at UNLV.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

April 8, 2018 (Las Vegas) - The San Diego State softball team fell to UNLV, 3-2, in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Eller Media Stadium in Las Vegas. The Aztecs (12-24, 3-6 MW) had won the first two games in the series with the Rebels (22-15, 4-8 MW).

East County News Service

April 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – The citizens group overseeing the spending of millions of dollars in taxpayer-approved bonds for new and improved patient care facilities at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa has issued its 2017 Annual Report to the Community.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

April 7, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) –  A horse trailer being towed by an F-250 truck overturned on the right side of westbound Interstate 8 shortly before noon today, about three miles west of Crestwood, according to Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol.

A witness told authorities she was following behind the trailer and saw it start to fishtail. The driver was unable to control the vehicle, which went off the roadway and overturned. The trailer separated from the truck and its top was sheered off. The witness reported numerous people exiting the overturned horse trailer.

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2018 (Lakeside) – “My life changed forever during the early morning hours on Memorial Day, May 30, 2017,” says Korren Knapp Grada.  That’s when she suffered horrific injuries after being struck by two hit-and-run vehicles in I-8 near the Lake Jennings exit in Lakeside. 

How she got there remains a mystery, though she believes she was drugged by a man and was seeking to escape harm when she scaled a fence onto the freeway.

She’s shared her story with East County Magazine in hopes that someone can shed light on what happened, perhaps recognizing strangers in photos taken on her cell phone the night before. She also hopes to thank a good Samaritan who stopped and saved her life. 

Most of all, she needs help with staggering medical bills for multiple surgeries needed to save her life and help her on her long road to healing; you can donate at https://www.gofundme.com/helpkorren.

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By Liz Alper

Photo via @Padres on Twitter

April 6, 2018 (Houston) - This weekend will probably be the most predictable weekend in Padres history.  ECM’s Sports department has been told that readers can probably get their Padres news from the Union-Tribune, but ECM also loves being first to report anything, so we’d rather you experience the slaughter first-hand as the Padres traveled to Houston to face the defending World Series champion Astros.  Luis Perdomo started tonight’s game one against Lance McCullers Jr. for the Astros.