East County News Service

October 26, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Recently we interviewed  Mark Umphres director of water quality and systems operations, and Mike Uhrhammer, senior public affairs representative from the Helix Water District.  We talked about water rates, water quality issues including a recent state report on mercury levels in fish,   and some exciting new additions at Lake Jennings—including tipis!

You can listen now to our interview, which originally aired on our East County Magazine Radio Show on  KNSJ 89.1 FM, by clicking the audio link. (Note: audio file may take a few moments to load.)

October 20, 2016 (San Diego's East County)-- Our August 2016 radio shows are now online! (sound files may take a minute to load).  For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics an interviews,  click here.

Our newsmaker interviews included bighorn sheep expert and author Mark Jorgensen, La Mesa City Council candidate Colin Parent, Helix Water District candidates Mark Gracyk and Dan McMillan, author and wordsmith Charles Harrington Elster, plus Mark Umphries andMike Urhammer from Helix Water District on water quality issues and more. We talked about hot issues, from the County’s controversial Border Fire report to local council actions to the presidential race.

 The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  The shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.  Read more and listen to our August shows:

East County News Service

Photo: Left to Right: Volunteers of America Southwest President & CEO Gerald McFadden, LPGA Professional Katherine Kirk, Volunteers of America National President & CEO Mike King

October 20, 2016 (San Diego) - Volunteers of America Southwest held its 17^th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic on Monday, September 12, 2016. The all-day event was held at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo located at 12280 Greens East Road, San Diego.

Jonathan Goetz

October 20, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- Housing,  homelessness,  business issues and marijuana were among the topics ata candidates’ forum Wednesday in Lemon Grove moderated by the League of Women Voters. Candidates present included Theresa Rosiak, George Gastil and Racquel Vasquez running for Mayor, along with City Council candidates Jerry Selby, David Arambula, Glenn Thornton Jr., Steve Browne and Charlene McAdory.

A Foreign Affair: A True Story of Love and War, by Amanda Matti (Available at Amazon.com, 2016, 354 pages).

Preview by Dennis Moore

October 19, 2016 (San Diego) - I can’t wait to get my hands on this book, as the author, an El Cajon resident has indicated to me just today that she will be mailing it out to me for my review in the East County Magazine. She will also appear on our “East County Magazine Live!” radio show to be interviewed with all the salacious details of this book. A Foreign Affair has all the ingredients of true love and intrigue in a foreign country, which the author describes as “love at first sight” between herself, as a U.S. Navy Analyst, and her Iraqi translator Fahdi, in war-torn Iraq.

East County News Service

October 19, 2016 (Jamul) – The Jamul Action Committee, which opposes the new Hollywood Casino in Jamul, has announced a community meeting on Thursday, October 27 at 7 p.m.in the Jamul Primary multi-use room at 14567 Lyons Valley Road.

Listen to an audio version, originally aired on KNSJ: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

East County News Service

October 19,2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes Borrego Days, a Toast to East County,  a production of Annie Jr.,Lakeside Heritage Day, Haunt Fest on Main, haunted trails and more.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Trunk or Treat, Stoney’s Boo Bash,  the Boo Parade, Halloscream, the La Mesa Historical Homes Tour,  the Art and Wine Fest in Ramona, a  Fall Plantstravaganza, and the Trout Opener at Santee Lakes.

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

East County News Service

October 19, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Time to clear out those medicine cabinets!  On Saturday, October 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. the El Cajon Police Department, working in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, will be hosting a prescription drug drop off site in the parking lot of their police station, located at 100 Civic Center Way. Bring your outdated, unused or unwanted prescription pills, ointments, or liquids; no questions asked.

By Jonathan Goetz

October 19, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- At prior meetings citizens have voiced concerns over marijuana. But at last night’s Lemon Grove City Council meeting, instead of pot they were talking about potholes.  Council also heard arguments that the city lacked priorities when it passed a Welcoming Cities Resolution.  The resolution was modeled after a White House initiative to help newcomers by assisting refugees and immigrants integrate into communities.

Transcription by Jonathan Goetz

October 18, 2016 (El Cajon) - Seven candidates vying for three seats on the El Cajon City Council participated in a lively forum at Grossmont College on October 5^th:  Stephanie Harper, Ben Kalasho, Hubert Cabrera, Steve Goble, George Glover, Joseph Fountain and Vikie Butcher.  Incumbents Bob McClellan and Star Bales, along with challenger Paul Circo, declined to participate citing travel and scheduling conflicts.

Topics included the police shooting, building a new animal shelter, reopening the performing arts center, sales tax in El Cajon, marijuana regulation, strengthening our community and improving police relations with minorities, poverty and unemployment.

Each candidate had one minute to respond to questions  from  moderators Miriam Raftery of the East County Magazine,  Karen Pearlman from the San Diego Union-Tribune, Albert Fulcher from the East County Californian, and  Marya Fani from  Mega Network, followed by audience questions.

East County News Service

October 18, 2016 (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

• Will San Diego farms grow legal marijuana? It’s an open question (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego County Registrar of Voters receiving more funding amid increased election costs (10 News)
• Cameras keep watch across fire-prone regions in San Diego’s backcountry (KPBS)
• Bald eagle released to the wild after almost succumbing to West Nile virus (10 News)
• Startup offers resort staycations without the stay (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Harassment lawsuit includes new Filner allegation (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Kamala Harris, husband release 2015 tax returns; Loretta Sanchez declines (Sacramento Bee)
• Why are there two plastic bag ban propositions on the California ballot?  (Los Angeles Times)
• Show us which state ballot measures you support (San Diego Union-Tribune)

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

Update 2 p.m.: Police this afternoon are blocking access to the site that has been the focus of protests where  Alfred Olango was shot on Sept. 27.

East County News Service

October 18, 2016 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Police declared an unlawful assembly and arrested eight protesters last night at 800 Broadway near Mollison, the site where Alfred Olango was shot by police over two weeks ago.

According to a press release, the trouble started last night around 5 p.m. when two people arrived and became angry that a makeshift memorial had been removed. Police say the strip mall’s owner hired a security company to help return to business as usual. Earlier in the day, the release states, ”participants in the memorial, who had been asked to leave the property returned and asked to collect their items. They removed the tents, grills and other memorial and personal items. Neither the property owners nor the police department removed memorial items.

By Amber M. Henry

Read full transcript of debate

October 18, 2016 (Washington University) -- Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump walked onto the stage from opposite sides as the town hall in Washington University erupted in applause at the second presidential debate on October 9th. Clinton smiled, nodded and called out “Hello!” to the audience. Trump walked in with his hands close to his sides, a guarded but friendly expression on his face.

By Petty Officer Jamal McNeill, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

October 18, 2016 (San Diego) - A 2003 Mount Miguel High School Graduate and San Diego, California native recently returned to the United States from an overseas deployment with the largest amphibious warship in the Navy.



Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Vizcorrondo, is a master-at-arms serving aboard USS Boxer (LHD-4), based in San Diego, California.

By Miriam Raftery

October 17, 2016 (La Mesa) — Recently, La Mesa’s Planning Commission and Environmental Sustainability Commission held a public meeting on the potential for La Mesa to form its own community choice aggregation (CCA) energy program. The plan would enable the city to purchase power from renewable energy sources and sell it directly to residents, offering an alternative to SDG&E, which would continue to maintain power lines.

But where do the three candidates running for La Mesa’s City Council stand?  ECM contacted each candidate; their replies are below.