By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 9, 2018 (Alpine) -- The Viejas band of the Kumeyaay Nation celebrated the grand opening of  The Willows Hotel and Spa on January 31st with this dazzling pyrotechnics fireworks display.

East County News Service

February 8, 2018 (Mt. Helix) -- Art in the Park camp is being offered for the sixth season by Art Smarts, Inc. at Mt. Helix Park starting Monday, March 26 and running through Friday, March 30 from 9 a.m. until noon each day. You’re invited to treat your kids to a creative outdoor experience at the historic Mt. Helix Park and Amphitheater.

Marital Advice to my Grandson, Joel: How to be a husband your wife won’t throw out of the window in the middle of the night, by Peter Davidson (Sweet Memories Publishing, San Bernardino, CA, 2018, 137 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

February 8, 2018 (San Diego) - Where was this book by Peter Davidson some 40 years ago, when I first got married, as I possibly could have avoided the angst and pitfalls so many encounter in marriage? Davidson gives whimsical and sage advice to all men contemplating marriage, and those hoping to maintain and survive it, in this thought provoking book; Marital Advice to my Grandson, Joel.

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2018 (Jamul) – What could be more romantic than a Valentine’s dinner at a French restaurant?  Fabrison’s Country French Cooking in Jamul is offering two dinner packages for you and your sweetheart on February 14. Choose from Country French fancy at $50 a person or Country French Rustic at $35 a person.

Each includes a three-course meal with multiple options.  Bon appetit!

February 7, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.  Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Trump has ordered a military parade in Washington, Pentagon says (Time)
• Senate clears two-year budget deal (NPR)
• Republicans are completely reversing themselves on the deficit (Washington Post)
• Here’s the memo alleging surveillance abuse by the FBI (Sacramento Bee)
• Democratic, GOP lawmakers:  Memo doesn’t clear Trump in Russian probe (Sacramento Bee)
• Why did FBI suspect Trump campaign advisor was a foreign agent? (Sacramento Bee)
• Toyota failed to fix defect that can cause Prius to overheat and lose power, dealer claims in lawsuit (Los Angeles Times)
• U.S. stocks plunge sparks global sell-off (BBC)
• Nancy Pelosi’s filibuster-style speech tops eight hours in bid to force immigration vote (Washington Post)
• Teen delivers hundreds of solar lamps to Puerto Ricans without power (CNN)
• Why Trump’s tax plan may spur more divorces (Politico)

WORLD

• Five big stories to watch at the winter Olympics (Time)
• Air strikes pound Syria’s last rebel stronghold; gas chokes civilians (Reuters)
• AP Investigation Details Shocking Massacre, Mass Graves of Myanmar Rohingya (NPR)
• Monsoon rains could devastate Rohingya camps (NPR)
• Exclusive: North Korea earned $200 million from banned exports, sends arms to Syria, Myanmar - U.N. report (Reuters)
• Mexico’s economic reforms take hold (CS Monitor)
• China Is Attempting to Muzzle #MeToo (NPR)
• Zimbabwe issues 99-year leases to white farmers (CS Monitor)

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

February 7, 2018 (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

• First transfer of nuclear waste made at San Onofre (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Sheriff candidate met with women accusing deputy of groping, got written up (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Black women unite in quest for political office (San Diego Union Tribune)
• Skyrocketing water bills in San Diego prompt internal city investigation (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Tijuana's resurgence of homicides subject of USD policy brief (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego gets new FBI leader (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Nuclear fusion's clean energy dream meets budget reality — and San Diego's General Atomics sweats it out (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• A San Diego girl sold 312 Girl Scout cookie boxes outside a marijuana shop. Is that allowed? (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Insurance claims from California wildfires near $12 billion (New York Times)
• A Kingdom from Dust  (California Sunday Magazine)
• Former California utilities commissioner lobbied for Lyft, didn't disclose it (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• 'We Swipe Left' On Tinder's 'Discriminatory' Pricing, Court Says (NPR)

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

Aztecs add seven more players to finish 24-member class

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 7, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State head football coach Rocky Long announced the signing Wednesday of seven more players to National Letters of Intent or Offers of Aid. Including the 17 that signed in the first-ever class during the early signing period from Dec. 20-22, a total of 24 athletes will join the Aztecs for the 2018 season.

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video:  County leaders met up with regional officials and community partners to promote "Love Your Heart Day," which lands on February 14. The annual event urges residents to take charge of their health by offering free blood pressure screenings to adults throughout San Diego County. Now in its seventh year, Love Your Heart features screening sites hosted by businesses, public agencies, healthcare and wellness organizations and churches.  Video by James Kecskes

February 7, 2018 (San Diego) - Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to show your heart a little love.

The annual Love Your Heart Day event takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at more than 150 sites in San Diego County and allows adults to get a free blood pressure screening. The event, now in its seventh year, is part of the County of San Diego’s Live Well San Diego vision.

East County News Service

February 7, 2018 (San Diego) - Gregory Page, international touring and V2 recording artist returns to Mission Trails Regional Park auditorium on Sunday, March 4  at 3 p.m. This London-born Irish-Armenian citizen of the world has imagination and a conscience as well as vocal talent.  He will share his stunning guitar work, anthemic songs of peace, ballads of “Optimistic Melancholy” and in his words, “true stories he makes up” with the Mission Trails listening audience in a performance for the whole family.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 7, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - Whether you are new to nature or have many miles on your hiking boots, here are 10 terrific trails at San Diego County Parks to try this year.

Admission to the parks is free unless otherwise noted. Additional information and park phone numbers can be found on individual park pages. Just click on their links.

Several of these parks offer camping as well. Book a camping reservation online, or call 877-565-3600 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It can get very hot on the park trails, and many don’t have shade. Always hike with appropriate footwear, dress in layers, wear sunscreen and a hat, and bring plenty of water.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Robert Gehr

Robert Gehr contributed to this report

Update:  The  deceased woman has been identified as Brandi Duhamell. According to El Cajon Police Lieutenant W. Miller, officers arrived to find her fiancee performing CPR on Duhamell, who had shot the fiancee in the leg before committing suicide by shooting herself in the chest.

February 6, 2018 (El Cajon) – A woman is dead and a man hospitalized with a gunshot wound, El Cajon Police Department posted on Twitter this evening.

ECM photographer Robert Gehr, who lives across the street from the Park Royale apartment complex at 193 West Park avenue, said a SWAT team was deployed and reported seeing “at least 12 police units” and 20 or more officers at the scene following the shooting that occurred around 6 p.m. as well as paramedics and a fire truck.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A suspect who reportedly carjacked a vehicle this afternoon in El Cajon was captured in Carlsbad following a high-speed pursuit by Sheriff’s deputies and an ASTREA Sheriff’s helicopter.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

Photo: Screenshot, ECM news partner 10 News

February 6, 2018 (Santee) – Dr. John Longhurst from U.C. Irvine Health and his wife, Cherill, died in a plane crash into a construction yard in Santee this morning.  A dog onboard was also killed; a second dog was injured and remains in guarded condition, ECM news partner 10 News reports.  View video.

SDSU to send four to NFL Combine for second straight year

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 6, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State will send four football players to the NFL Scouting Combine (National Invitational Camp) in Indianapolis from Feb. 27-March 5, the NFL announced today. Fullback Nick Bawden, defensive back Kameron Kelly, running back Rashaad Penny and tight end David Wells each will attend the camp, which will be scouted by top executives, coaching staffs, player personnel departments and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams.

Services to honor legendary firefighter are set for February 10th   

By Miriam Raftery

February 5, 2018 (San Diego) – William R. “Bill” Clayton led the firefight that saved Julian’s historic downtown during the 2003 Cedar Fire. Just days earlier, the Cal Fire Division Chief led efforts to save nearly 200 people trapped in the Valley View Casino during the Paradise Fire—after coming out of retirement shortly before those devastating firestorms. 

The most honored member of California’s state firefighting agency now known as Cal Fire, the division chief passed away in his sleep on Sunday, February 4^th, of natural causes.

Clayton received the most awards of any firefighter in Cal Fire history, including twice earning the Medal of Valor, the state’s highest award for bravery.