By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2017 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will present this year’s “A Toast to East County” on Sunday, October 22 from 1 to 4 p.m.  at the El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812 (1400 E. Washington Ave., El Cajon).

Source:  Firearms Policy Coalition

October 7, 2017 (San Diego) — Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) has issued the following statement concerning calls for new bans and regulations on firearms and firearm accessories: 

In depraved acts of self-centered posturing, politicians who do not respect our Constitution are leveraging the recent tragedy in Las Vegas to push for more unconstitutional bans and restrictions on common, semi-automatic firearms, ammunition, and accessories.

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2017 (El Cajon) – Crowds flocked to Oktoberfests in El Cajon and La Mesa for bratwurst, beer, and festivities. The two community events differed sharply, with the German-American club’s event at its headquarters in El Cajon focused on authentic offerings such as a German band and Bavarian pastries, while La Mesa added some international elements and carnival attractions.

By Paul Kruze

October 7, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Residents from San Diego's East County testified during the open comment period at last Thursday’s California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) meeting in Chula Vista.

Earlier in the day, the CPUC held a hearing on whether or not to approve a recommendation made by two CPUC administrative law judges to reject SDG&E’s application seeking to charge ratepayers for its uninsured losses in three of the 2007 wildfires. That hearing consisted largely of technical arguments. Afterward, a second meeting in Chula Vista was held for all parties involved, and public testimony was also taken. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2017 (San Diego) – Campus police at San Diego State University are asking for public help to identify a suspect accused of attacking a female student Sunday around 10:30 p.m. 

The victim told police she was walking in the 4900 block of Campanile Drive when a man threw water in her face, then wrestled her to the ground. She managed to fight off the assailant, who fled in a faded, dark blue car. The suspect was described as a Hispanic man, about 6 feet tall and weighing about 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He wore a dark, long-sleeve shirt and dark pants.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Ariele Brooke and Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2017 (Alpine)—One of Alpine’s most iconic restaurants, the Alpine Inn Steakhouse, has reopened after being closed for five years.  The reopening is welcome news to the community, which has reacted with praise and delight.

At a ribbon cutting held by the Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce,  the Chamber’s Chairman Joseph Perricone stated, “Alpine Inn is an icon in our town and we’re all proud as punch that you’re back.”

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

October 6, 2017 (Lakeside) - ECM Friday Night Lights is back after a two-week hiatus with our first-ever trip to Lakeside as the Foothillers of Grossmont (3-2 overall) made the trip out to visit the Vaqueros of El Capitan (2-3 overall) in both teams’ first matchup of Grossmont League play.

"The Gallery at Warner Springs” will showcase local art, serve as visitor center in historic Loretta Young House

Photos: Judith Doxey artwork depicting Warner Hot Springs pools and walkway

East County News Service

October 6, 2017 (Warner Springs) – Warner Springs Ranch Resort (WSRR) will now be home to “The Gallery at Warner Springs,” which will celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 1-4 p.m. at the property’s Loretta Young House, located at 31652 Highway 79. In addition to food and drinks, the event will feature a raffle and silent auction benefitting the Warner Springs Cultural Association.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff's Department

October 6, 2017 (San Diego) - Four hours per day, seven days a week, Sheriff's Dispatchers answer emergency calls from all across San Diego County. They save lives by getting help out to those calling 9-1-1.

East County News Service

October 6, 2017 (Lakeside) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East Region, will present the 2017 Kids Care Fest, a free, family-oriented health event open to the public. Featuring free health screenings, Kids Care Fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview St., Lakeside.

East County News Service

October 6, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - Known for his generosity in support of East County community organizations, businessman William “Bill” Thomas Verbeck passed away at his home in Spring Valley on September 27 at the age of 90, with friends by his side.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:Las Vegas Police Department:  Thousands turned out for a candlelight vigil to honor a fallen LVPD officer.

October 6, 2017 (Las Vegas) – While the families of 500 people wounded and 58 killed by a  mass-shooter Sunday in  Las Vegas  mourn the loss of their loved ones, Congress is weighing measures to ban ‘bump stocks’, which the Las Vegas Police Department confirms were used by mass shooter Stephen Paddock. 

The device converted semi-automatic weapons to fire at nearly the speed of banned automatic weapons.—from 45 to 60 rounds per minute to as much as 800 rounds per minute, the Los Angeles Times reports. 

But while some legislators resist even this modest proposal or any limits on what they view as 2nd Amendment rights,  many victims of deadly shootings are saying gun restrictions need to go further to protect public safety. 

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 5, 2017 (San Diego) - It’s frightening how much fun you can have at parks this month. The San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation will host a dozen chilling and thrilling Halloween events including haunted hikes, pumpkin parties and a day of the dead.

Don’t be a scaredy cat. All events are family-friendly, for all ages and some are even in the daytime. Most are free, though some have parking fees. Inclement weather may cancel some of the outdoor events.

 Residents Eligible for Mental Health Treatment, Medical Expenses, Funeral and Burial and More

 The California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) is encouraging residents impacted by the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival on Sunday, October 1 in Las Vegas to contact them at 1-800-777- 9229 for assistance, guidance and aid.  

The massacre killed 58 people and injured over 500 victims.  San Diego attorney Jennifer Irvine was among those killed; several other San Diego County residents were injured, NBC 7 reports.

Help is available for survivors of those who were killed, anyone who was injured and those in attendance at the concert, as well as their immediate family members.

October 4, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• Home from Vegas, San Diegans Bear Witness to Horror (Times of San Diego)
• San Diego victims in Las Vegas shooting (KNSD)
• Local San Diegan recognized for courage during deadly Las Vegas mass shooting (KUSI)
• Rep. Duncan Hunter says he’d support declaration of war on N. Korea (10 News)
• SANDAG Staff Says 2004 Promises Can Only be Met with Two More Gas Tax Hikes (Voice of San Diego)
• 3 Sexually Spread Diseases Rise in SD County Amid Nationwide Spike (KNSD)
• Sempra Services Video Leaves Out Key Facts on Community Choice (KPBS)
• These Are the Incredibly Narrow Circumstances in Which You Can View Police Body Camera Footage (Voice of San Diego)
• Malware Attacks San Ysidro School District, Demands $19K Ransom (KPBS)
• As Hepatitis A outbreak grows, county refuses to release zip codes where cases reported (NBC)

STATE

• Yosemite hit by ‘substantially bigger’ rock fall one day after deadly slide (CBS)
• Feds Ease Rules Clearing Way for More Water to Be Drawn from Delta (KPBS)
• Cities Facing Fiscal Mess Plead with CalPERS as Pensions Consume Budgets (Reason)
• California strengthens law against audit interference after UCOP dispute (Daily Bruin)

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