East County News Service

September 5, 2017 ( La Mesa) – The volunteer citizens group monitoring the spending of millions of dollars in public funds for new and improved patient care facilities at Sharp Grossmont Hospital has a new member. James Sly, vice president and chief operations officer of the San Diego East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC), has joined the Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (ICBOC). The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), the public agency managing the bond-financed construction at the hospital, recently approved the appointment of Sly to the ICBOC.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Department of Homeland Security

September 4, 2017 (San Diego) – Homeland Security in Thursday announced four companies chosen to build prototypes of a border wall in the Otay Mesa area in San Diego. President Donald Trump has threatened a government shut down if Congress won’t fund subsequent construction of a wall along most of the international U.S.-Mexico border in an upcoming spending bill. 

East County News Service

September 4, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Music Department will present "Salsa Under the Stars," a fundraiser for student scholarships and a CD release celebration for music instructor and internationally known salsa bandleader, composer and recording artist Manny Cepeda.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 4, 2017 (San Diego) - Summertime fun will carry into the fall this year. Summer Movies in the Park continues with two dozen free outdoor movies in September and October. So pop the popcorn, grab your picnic blanket and get ready for family-friendly films under the stars.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

Hear our interview with Josh Butner at the audio link and scroll down for highlights.

September 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Josh Butner says he’s running for Congress against Representative Duncan Hunter in the 50th Congressional District to “put people first, not personal profit or special interest politics.” 

A former Navy Seal Lieutenant Commander and current trustee on the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District board, he wants to champion a strong public education, restore integrity, and provide strong leadership on issues ranging from foreign policy to helping military families to combating climate change.

East County Magazine’s Show recently sat down with Butner for an in-depth interview originally aired July 21 on KNSJ radio. Hear the full 42-minute interview by clicking the orange audio link, and scroll down for highlights. He is one of five Democrats in the race; two Republican challengers to Hunter have also announced intentions to run. With Hunter under a federal criminal probem, this race is drawing national attention.

East County News Service

September 4, 2017 ( La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors recently awarded several sponsorships to community organizations that protect and promote the health of local residents.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo left:  Los Angeles Air Ops via L.A. Fire Department; Jason Moore on Twitter

September 3, 2017 (San Diego) – The Border Fire near Dulzura is 100% contained. But across California, many far more major brush fires are blazing. Several local firefighting agencies have dispatched crews to aid in conflagrations across the state.

The ECOreport does an update on one of California’s most controversial wind farms – Ocotillo, five years later

By Roy L. Hales

Source:  The ECOreport

Photo, left: Turbine T126 after the collapse – Parke Ewing photo

September 3, 2017 (Ocotillo) - The Ocotillo wind farm went online almost five years ago. Were they not documented in such meticulous detail, some of the  reports coming from the tiny desert community this project surrounds would be difficult to believe.  I once received a constant stream of YouTube videos and reports from this project. It was one of the sites that shaped my perception of the energy sector.  To some extent, I’ve moved on from this story since then, but I always knew I would be revisiting Ocotillo.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Jamul Indian Village site before the casino

September 3, 2017 (Jamul) - U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller, Eastern District of California,  dismissed on August 29^th an amended complaint in Rosales v. Dutschke which sought $4 million in damages for what plaintiffs contend was the illegal and unconstitutional desecration of Native American remains to make way for the Hollywood-Jamul San Diego Casino.

By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2017 (Ramona) — A blue 1997 GEO metro vehicle registered in Ramona was found down an embankment off westbound Poway Road, where it came to rest against two trees.  After a passerby reported the vehicle, deputies searched for victims and found a dead woman who had been ejected, near an open driver’s side door.

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo:  Rashaad Penny rushed for 197 yards.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

September 2, 2017 (San Diego) - College football is back and the San Diego State Aztecs are the only football team left in San Diego.  This season, they're stepping up to the plate and are ready to #Win22.  Tonight in week 1, they faced UC Davis.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photos: Robert E. Younger

September 2, 2017 (Lakeside) – A vehicle fire on Wildcat Canyon Road  ignited dry brush, just north of Muth Valley Road and south of Pata Ranch Road. Named the Ranch Fire, it charred an estimated three-quarters of an acre this evening before forward spread was halted, Cal Fire reports. 

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Firefighter Paramedic Brenton Rowell from the Mt. Laguna County Fire Station is completing his morning checks of the Advanced Life Support gear.

September 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- A person suffering cardiac arrest or going into anaphylactic shock will receive immediate treatment from responding firefighter paramedics who were recently added to existing fire engine service in five communities.

By Kathy Carpenter

Freelance Writer www.splashmags.com

September 2, 2017  (La Mesa) -- Magnetic. Daddy's Dyin' Who's Got The Will, by Del Shores, master of Texas comedies, draws you in like sweet potato pie at Thanksgiving. This Lamplighters Theatre production has lots of rich characters--sweet and naughty.

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 1, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - Even though the region’s heat wave continues, the National Weather Service is predicting San Diego County residents could see heavy rains, winds and thunderstorms this weekend, mainly on Sunday.