SDSU will play either Seton Hall or Central Connecticut State Sunday at noon

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 26, 2016 (South Orange, N.J.) - The San Diego State women’s basketball team kept its game against UT Arlington within reach but ultimately fell to the Mavericks, 64-58, at the Seton Hall Thanksgiving Classic Saturday afternoon.

By Miriam Raftery

November 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Rain, thunderstorms and high winds are forecast starting Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening to cap off Thanksgiving weekend. Up to three inches of snow is possible above 5,500 feet, with rain-slicked highways expected to slow holiday travelers in lower elevations.

East County News Service

November 25, 2016 (Santa Ysabel) – A 70-year-old Ramona man was killed this morning when the Honda motorcycle he was driving was struck by a Toyota Prius at the intersection of State Routes 79 and 76 in Santa Ysabel.

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Putting a smile on a child’s face just feels good — especially during the holiday season.

You can get that good feeling by teaming up with County airports and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and donating a new, unwrapped toy to their annual Toys for Tots drive.

UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 25 AT 1:04 PM:  According to Lt. Randy Soulard with El Cajon Police,  the driver of the SUV was traveling east on Washington and did not see the oncoming motorcycle traveling west.  The SUV turned into the path of the motorcycle and the motorcyclist, unable to stop or avoid a collision, struck the SUV.

“Based witness statements and evidence recovered at the scene, the speed and driving behavior of the motorcycle rider may have been a factor in this collision,” Lt.  Soulard indicated.  He added that neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to be factors.

The occupants of the SUV were uninjured as a result of this collision.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact the El Cajon Police Department Traffic Division at 619-441-1632.

East County News Service

November 23, 2016 (El Cajon) - A motorcyclist is dead after a three-vehicle traffic collision in El Cajon, police said.

The crash happened around 4:40 p.m. today at the intersection of East Washington Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, officials said.

East County News Service

November 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — Gels derived from aloe vera plants are prized by consumers for use on skin conditions and minor burns. But testing of store brands at Wal-Mart, Target and CVS found that some contained no aloe vera at all.

By Miriam Raftery

Some hackable voting machines used in 2016 presidential election were banned in California after investigative reports by Miriam Raftery,  now ECM’s editor

November 24, 2016 (San Diego) – After election security experts urged presidential candidates to seek recounts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan due to anomalies that could indicate hacking by Russia or someone else, Green Party candidate Jill Stein launched a fundraising page for recounts in those three states.  She has raised over $4 million – enough to fully fund a recount in Wisconsin—and is well on the way toward attaining the estimated $6-7 million for recounts in all three states including filing fees, attorney costs and funding recount observers.

The concerns are valid. Here’s why. First,  Russian operatives already have hacked an election—in the Ukraine. The wrong winner was prevented from taking office only because Ukrainian officials discovered the vote-stealing software,  says J. Alex Halderman, professor  of computer science at the University of Michigan whose election technology class regularly tests –and succeeds in hacking into—voting machines used in the U.S.

By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 24, 2016 (San Diego) - Black Friday is coming. Santa is readying the reindeer.

That means the “shop ‘til you drop” holiday season is back! It also means it’s time to remember to double-check your receipts when you hit the stores so you don’t get overcharged by faulty cash-register price scanners.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left to right: Councilman Gary Kendrick with his son, TJ, and two formerly homeless men they have taken into their home, Tony and Michael

November 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- It’s rare to find elected officials willing to stand up to special interests or cast votes unpopular with vocal constituents, doing what he or she believes is right for the community and for people in need.

By Miriam Raftery

“Bring body armor, gas masks, earplugs (we may be facing a sound cannon) but no drugs, alcohol or weapons…if we don’t stop it, who will?”—Wesley Clark Jr., a veteran and son of retired four-star U.S. Army General Wesley Clark Sr., former Supreme Allied Commander in Europe

November 23, 2016 (Cannonball, North Dakota) – Nearly 1,000 U.S. military veterans have signed to join  Veterans for Standing Rock December 4-7 to support Native American tribes standing up to protect clean water and halt the Dakota Access oil pipeline that they fear will burst and contaminate the Missouri River.  The pipeline also desecrates sacred Standing Rock Sioux sites.

The water protector activists have faced brutality at the hands of a militarized police force in recent days, including spraying a water cannon in below-freezing temperatures.  Three hundred people have been injured and 26 hospitalized, including a 21-year-old girl hit by a concussion grenade whose bone was shattered and now faces possible amputation of her arm.

Story and photos by Liz Alper

Full quotes courtesy Jamie McConeghy

November 22, 2016 (San Diego) - With the Aztecs' final regular season matchup against Colorado State looming on Saturday, which also happens to be Senior Day, head coach Rocky Long and senior warrior Malik Smith talked about what this game means and how emotional it will be for the senior class in today's press conference.

By Robin Norris Kendall

November 22, 2016 (Lakeside) -- When you die and go to heaven the first thing you will put in your mouth is one of Mary’s donuts. At least that is what I thought when I bit into one at the new Lakeside location. I am not like Homer Simpson, I don’t dream of donuts…donuts, but these are so fresh and light that I am now a fan.

East County News Service

November 22, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Drum Macomber sent in this photo of Senior Patrol Leader Kyle Jackson and Patrol Leader Alex Horn, Boy Scouts from Troop 362, with the El Cajon Main Street Flag Committee.

"This photo was not staged; it just happened when we decided that we should have the Pledge of Allegiance at the Work Party," Macomber says. "This is a Norman Rockwell Moment if ever."

East County News Service

November 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- On Monday, December 5^th the San Diego County Library will host Vermont author Grace Gershuny in a discussion and book signing of her latest book. Ms. Gershuny will speak at the Alpine Branch, 1752 Alpine Blvd., Alpine, CA from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. and at the Lemon Grove Branch, 3001 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Jim Pelley

November 21, 2016 (Ocotillo) – A 500-foot-tall wind turbine at the Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility collapsed this morning, spewing debris and three blades each weighing many tons across the desert floor.

ECM photographer Jim Pelley, an Ocotillo resident, says 30 minutes after the collapse, the other 111 turbines were still spinning and no one from Pattern Energy had arrived.  Around an hour or more after the collapse, Pattern arrived and deenergized the entire project.