For more sports stories, visit ECM's Sports section

Story and photos by Liz Alper

October 14, 2016 (La Mesa) - It’s time for conference play.  For this week’s Friday Night Lights, ECM went to Grossmont High School to see the undefeated Foothillers host the Norsemen of Valhalla High. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2016 (Jamul) - A GoFundMe site setup yesterday to help a Jamul woman whose three dogs were bitten by a rattlesnake has raised over $7,000.  She is a single mother who can’t afford the costly care needed to save her dogs’ lives.

By Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – After the release of a videotape last week on which Republican nominee Donald Trump boasted in crude terms about grabbing women’s genitals and forcing kisses on them in the workplace,  Trump dismissed those claims “as locker room talk” in a presidential debate. When pressed by  CNN’s  Anderson Cooper on whether he did those things,  he claimed he didn’t.  Six women have since come forward to state  he did sexually assault them, including a journalist  and others. In addition, a hearing on alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl by Trump heads to court in December. Dozens of past coworkers of  Trump have also corroborated sexually demeaning remarks in the workplace that amount to sexual harassment.

Many top Republicans have yanked support of Trump as a result.  GOP Chair Rance Priebus ordered the Republican National  Party to cut off all cash to the Trump campaign.  House Speaker Paul Ryan has said he is done defending Trump.  Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State under Republican George W. Bush,  stated,”Enough! Donald Trump should not be President. He should withdraw.”  Former GOP nominees John McCain and Mitt Romney have said they will not support Trump’s candidacy.  Conservative commentator Glen Beck called opposing  Trump the “moral choice” even if Hillary Clinton is elected.

But Congressman Duncan Hunter, a Republican whose district includes  parts of San Diego and East County continues to support  Trump. “We’ve got to keep on fighting to the end,” he said, according to the Washington Post’s article titled “What it’s like to be on the shrinking island of Donald Trump backers.”

October 13, 2016 (El Cajon )-- Mega Network has created a video montage with highlights from the recent El Cajon candidate forum at Grossmont College.  Seven candidates fielded questions from moderators and the audience on a wide range of issues, from the recent police shooting to reopeningthe East County Performing Arts Center to ideas for strengthening the community

Candidates participating were Stephanie Harper, Ben Kalasho,  Humbert Cabrera,  Steve Goble, George Glover,Joseph Fountain and Vickie Knight Butcher, all challengers. (Photos below) Incumbents Bob McClellan and Star Bales did not attend,nor did challenge Paul Circo.

By Miriam Raftery

October 13,2016 (Lemon Grove)—The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has voted to rescind its prior endorsement of Measures U and V, which would legalize and regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in Lemon Grove and La  Mesa.

The Chamber website states, “The Board considered additional information and supports both cities’ rights to ban marijuana dispensaries.”

East County News Service

October 13, 2016 (San Diego) - Celebrating its 12th year, the Boulevard BOO! Parade will be held on Saturday, October 29th starting at 10:00 a.m. With over 70 entries of live entertainment marching on one mile of El Cajon Boulevard the parade will entertain you with spooky ghouls, goblins, ghosts and witches to fill you with the Halloween spirit.

East County News Service

October 13, 2016 (San Diego) — You’re invited to join a Zumba party and dance away calories—all while raising money for KNSJ 89.1 FM, the nonprofit community radio station based in Descanso.  The Zumba party fundraiser will be held on Saturday, October 21 from 6-8 p.m. at th Linda Vista Recreation Center, 7064 Levant St. in San Diego.  Get Tickets ($10).

East County News Service

October 13, 2016 (La Mesa) - Visionary Youth Theatre presents “Annie, Jr” at the Visionary Performance Space (8693 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942) on October 20th - 22nd @ 7pm, directed by Rebekah Ensley.  Bring your family and friends to enjoy as the diverse and talented performers of Visionary Youth Theatre bring to the stage the beloved musical.

Source: Grossmont Union High School District

October 13, 2016 (El Cajon) -Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) announced the completion of renovation and modernization work on the main building and theater at Valhalla High School in El Cajon. A re-dedication event was held on Oct. 12 to unveil the new facility to the community.

With a construction cost of $33 million, the 14-month project completely transformed and modernized the 40-year-old main building and the theater, while preserving some of its historical elements.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos courtesy of  E.  Rullet and Deerhorn Valley Antler

October 13, 2016 (Jamul)—Monday’s grand opening of the Hollywood Casino in Jamul caused traffic backups of several hours.  On Tuesday,  residents report delays were reduced to 15-30 minutes for those seeking to run errands in the rural town of Jamul,  still a hassle for residents who long opposed the casino. Illegal parking along State Route 94 and side roads continue to pose problems, though authorities have begun ticketing vehicles.

Parents have voiced concerns over safety of students at Steele Canyon High School’s homecoming football game and dance this weekend, the first weekend the casino will be in operation.  The traffic and parking issues could also negatively  impact JamulFest Sunday, where Lyons Valley Road closes for a parade and parking is tight even in prior years.

East County News Service

October 13, 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

• Man who set five wildfires in San Diego’s backcountry gets 9 years in prison(Los Angeles Times)
• Sheriff's special assistant racks up miles, billings (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Cameras Keep Watch Over Fire-Prone Regions Across San Diego County (KPBS)
• Untested rape kits prompting changes in San Diego (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Official data fails to capture hundreds of police shootings (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Souplantation owner files for bankruptcy protection (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Director Talks About San Diego County PERT (KPBS)
• New airline to fly out of Carlsbad (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Librarians Learn Mental Health First Aid in San Diego (KPBS)
• Advocacy groups awarded more than $600,000 so far in San Onofre failure (San Diego Union-Tribune)

STATE

• New California fault line: A path to better earthquake models? (CS Monitor)
• Convictions now required to seize cash or property from criminal suspects (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• California Gets New Police Shooting Database (KPBS)

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

East County News Service

October 12, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Russia says U.S. actions threaten its national security (Reuters)
• Poll: Clinton leads Trump by 8 points after debate (Time)
• What's Driving Up the Number of Deaths by Car Accidents? (NPR)
• Arizona 'jihadist' agrees to plead guilty to terrorism, conspiracy (Reuters)
• Postal service offering discounted shipping for military families (KNSD-7)
• Putin cancels US plutonium disposal program, reflecting widening rift (CSMonitor)
• Comcast Fined $2.3 Million for Improperly Charging Customers (NPR)
• US takeover of Puerto Rico's finances: A nudge toward statehood? (CS Monitor)
• Millennials aren't big spenders or risk-takers, and that's going to reshape the economy (San Diego Union-Tribune)

WORLD

• Warming Russia-Turkey relations send a chill through Ukraine (CS Monitor)
• U.S., other countries issue declaration on export, use of armed drones (Reuters)
• Iranian Revolutionary Guard unveils new attack drones (JerusalemPost)
• China Imposes Restrictions to Try to Cool Real Estate Bubble (NPR)
• He Did It Again: Philippine President Keeps Insulting the U.S. (And Obama) (NPR)
• Central banks rush to gold (Marketplace)
• India arrests 70 call-center workers accused of duping U.S. citizens (Reuters)
• Sweden Proposes Tax Breaks for Repairs (NPR)
• The United Nations Is Launching a Space Mission (NPR)
• Russia builds up forces in Syria, Reuters data analysis shows  (Reuter)
• US Navy ship targeted in failed missile attack from Yemen (JerusalemPost)
• Russia suspends nuclear agreement, ends uranium research pact with United States  (Reuters)
• Israeli aircraft attack Hamas in Gaza after rocket hits Israeli town (Reuters)

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

East County News Service

October 12, 2016 (El Cajon) — A man walking along Interstate 8 between the first two lanes Sunday night was struck and killed by a motorist.  The victim is unidentified, said Officer Kevin Pearlstein with the California Highway Patrol.

The deadly accident occurred shortly before midnight near the Greenfield onramp.

For more sports stories, visit ECM's Sports section.

By Liz Alper

Photo credit Chris Stone

October 12, 2016 (San Diego) - After just three years with the Padres, the team announced this morning that president and CEO Mike Dee is stepping down, MLB.com's A.J. Cassavell reports.

In a statement released today, the team announced that the decision was made by Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler and managing partner Peter Seidler.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Clip art

October 11, 2016 (Dulzura) - A Border Patrol Agent tracking a border crosser on Friday made a grisly discovery:  a human skull.  The Sheriff’s office and Medical Examiner’s office were notified and recovered the remains. During the search, a long bone was located near the skull; no other remains were found.