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

January 9, 2018 (San Diego) - Another 46 local flu deaths were reported last week, bringing this season’s total to 91, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.

The new deaths were announced during a presentation by County health officials to the Board of Supervisors, who had asked during last week’s meeting if a flu emergency needed to be declared.

By Miriam Raftery

January 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – 71^st Assembly candidate James Elia is speaking to support an investigation into the SDG&E planned power outages in December that left many thousands of residents across the county without electricity, in some cases for a full week.

By Miriam Raftery

January 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The annual “We All Count” Point in Time count of homeless people in our region will be held the morning of January 26^th, organized by the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless. 

By Miriam Raftery

January 9, 2018 (Alpine) – Two key hearings that could determine the future of students in Alpine are coming up: a court appeal and a State Board of Education hearing  January 19 at which the Board will consider a recommendation by the Department of Education to deny a unification petition, and a January 11 appeal of a lawsuit over funds to build the long promised Alpine High School.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

January 9, 2018 (9:45 a.m.) There are multiple hazards to report this morning per the CHP on East County roadways, including:

• Lemoncrest in Lakeside is closed  from Wintergarden Blvd. to Riverview due to flooding in the 12028 block.
• A high-wind advisory is in effect for I-8 east of Alpine and high-profile vehicles are not advised to travel here.
• Mapleview at Pine in Lakeside is also flooded.
• Debris is reported on I-8 west of the Sweetwater bridge in spring Valley.
• In Ramona, there is roadway flooding at Hanson Lane and Wilson
• A rockslide has been reported on Japatul Road with large boulders the size of deer; CHP is working to determine exact location of this slide called in.
• A boulder half the size of a tire is reported in the left lane of Arnold Way at Tavern Road in Alpine.
• A multi-car accident has occurred on I-8 west at Fletcher Parkway.
  

By Miriam Raftery

January 8, 2018 (El Cajon) – Firefighters from the San Miguel Fire Department have set up a Go Fund Me page to help a family of 20, including many adopted children with disabilities.  A fire outside the Hauer family’s home yesterday damaged two vehicles, including a specialized van used to transport youngsters with medical needs.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 8, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - "I don’t know about you, but it’s pretty stressful driving even when it’s not raining," says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.  Throw a mix of forecasted rain in this week and it makes it worse.

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

Photo:  Medicaid serves more than 74 million children, low-income adults, and people in nursing homes across the United States. (NACHC)

January 8, 2018 (Sacramento) - Some health experts are predicting the mother of all Medicaid and Medicare battles this year, as Republicans take a run at cutting social-service programs in order to reduce the deficit.

January 7, 2018 (La Mesa) --You’re invited to a Russian and Ukrainian feast with our East County Dining Club on Thursday, January 25^th  at 6:30 p.m. at Village House Kalina (8302 Parkway Drive, La Mesa). As always, we’ll have prizes galore! Proceeds benefit East County Magazine and our wildfire/emergency alerts.

 Join us on our culinary adventure to the land of hearty and flavorful fare  – food that nourished the creative powers of Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky,  Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Pasternak, Cossack dancers and the Bolshoi Ballet.  Da!

This restaurant seats only 38 people so we expect to sell out; early RSVPs are recommended.

We must receive your RSVP no later Jan. 24, along with choice of entree (see list below) since these special dishes take time to prepare!

By Miriam Raftery

January 8, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the trout season reopener at Santee Lakes, pianist John Nilson in Descanso, the Lore of the Kumeyaay at the Water Conservation Garden, full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, the Mousetrap onstage in La Mesa, a Martin Luther King commemoration in Lemon Grove honoring local civil rights leaders, as well as hawk watching events in Ramona and Santa Ysabel.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including a local authors’ expo at the El Cajon Library as well as authors at libraries in Julian and Rancho San Diego, live music by local bands and soloists at Riviera Supper Club and San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa, a 50 kilometer race and Active Lifestyle Expo in Santee, the Oak Ridge Boys at Sycuan, a chamber music society concert and a jazz performance in La Mesa, a concert by the Martin Luther King Choir ensemble in Lemon Grove, a star party at Mission Trails, and Seussical the Musical in Spring Valley. 

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

By Jillian Hymer

January 7, 2018 (San Diego’s East County)--Readers and writers in East County can attend literary events at local libraries.  Scroll down for in-depth details on January events and some February-March listings in East County, which we've listed in four categories: events for writers such as workshops and critique groups, author appearances, poetry events, and book clubs for readers to discuss literary works.

You can  get information on more upcoming events on the San Diego County Library website.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Jay Adeff, U.S. Figure Skating Association

View video excerpts of their winning performances at U.S. nationals here:  https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/949798302979100679  and https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/949103279803392001

January 7, 2018 (Ramona) – Chris Knierim and his wife, Alexa Scimeca Knierim, have been chosen to represent the U.S. in the 2018 winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea in February, after capturing the first place medal at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. 

Knierim grew up in Ramona and Escondido, skating at San Diego Ice Arena in middle school, NBC 7 has reported. 

The couple nailed their Olympic spot with their signature thrown quadruple twist, despite missing side-by-side jumps.  They finished first overall after also taking first place in the short program.

East County News Service

January 6, 2018 (Santee) – From fishing events to movies, concerts, and holiday celebrations, you’ll find lots of activities coming up in the New Year at Santee Lakes—starting with Trout Re-Opener days on January 13 and 14, when the lakes will be stocked with 2,000 pounds of rainbow trout.

Scroll down for details and learn more at www.SanteeLakes.com.

By Miriam Raftery

January 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The first significant Pacific storm of the season is forecast to hit our region Monday night through Wednesday morning, bringing up to four inches of rain to mountain areas along with snow above 4,500 feet.  Thunderstorms, hail and gusty winds are also predicted.