By Miriam Raftery

April 4, 2016 (Spring Valley) - A Spring Valley company, Calbiotech Inc., just announced that it has come out with the United State’s first immunoassay kits to detect antibodies against Zika virus in human blood. 

Part of expanded efforts to increase conservation, reclamation, reuse and education

East County News Service

April 3, 2016 (Sycuan Reservation) –The Sycuan Tribe completed a major reduction in overall water usage through an aggressive conservation program that includes retrofitting irrigation equipment, removing and replacing water-dependent landscaping and increasing awareness around the importance of water conservation. 

East County News Service

April 2, 2016 (Alpine) -- Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB), San Diego's only non-profit accredited big cat, bear and exotic animal rescue sanctuary, invites guests to its annual Wild in the Country Fundraiser on Saturday, May 14th, from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. with a VIP reception from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. The family friendly event will feature a silent and live auction, live entertainment, a catered dinner and of course, visits with the big cats and bears.

East County News Service

April 2, 2016 (Alpine) – The Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce will host a “Hot Topics” breakfast on April 12 at 7:15 a.m. at Mike Place, 1620 Alpine Blvd. Suite 101.

Our January 2016 radio shows are now online!  You can listen online now (sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in January, click here or scroll down.

Our newsmaker interviews included Congresswoman Susan Davis, Windwalker and the MCW (Grammy nominees), the founders of Camp Onward, and Steve Lauria from California Health Network.  Hot topics included  new laws in 2016, the presidential primary, a lawsuit over Covert Canyon, a felony charge against a local Superintendent, a police shooting in El Cajon, wild winter weather, and much more.  

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.

City builds on last year's success in national campaign with an expanded focus on sustainability

Source: Mayor Kevin Faulconer, the Wyland Foundation, SDG&E

April 1, 2016 (San Diego) - In celebration of San Diego winning the 2015 Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation and after enacting one of the most ambitious climate action plans in the country, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer will be kicking off the 2016 campaign on April 1 by expanding the city’s effort to promote sustainability in all facets of the community.

Source: La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Astonishing story rocks community and sends shockwaves across district

By Merry Parent

April 1, 2016 (Alpine) – Alpine residents are dancing in the streets in an impromptu town-wide celebration after the California Board of Education granted Alpine parents’ request to break off from the Grossmont Union High School and unify with the Alpine Union School District.  The move will require approval by district voters.  If approved, the AUSD announced today that it will finally build the long-promised high school in Alpine.

East County News Service

March 31, 2016 (Pine Valley) -- U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a 31-year-old man after he allegedly attempted to smuggle four Mexican nationals last through the Border Patrol checkpoint near Pine Valley on March 25^th.

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

East County News Service

April 1, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes Mozart, an Old West Art Fest, the Garden Native Tour, Padre’s Opening Day and more.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including the Spring Garden Festival at Cuyamaca College, Chaldean Nights at Sycuan in El Cajon and an El Monte Flume Trail Hike.

So scroll down for all of these events and more.

By Jim Stieringer, Member, Governing Board, Grossmont Union High School District

March 31, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)--Like my board colleagues I enthusiastically endorse the concept of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) and our unanimous vote to implement it in the Grossmont Union High School District.

I recall that our board members’ decision to implement “area” election precincts was engendered solely by a desire to implement CVRA and to obviate a threatened lawsuit if we failed to do so. I believe that no one was motivated by a desire to deny a colleague an opportunity to compete in the 2016 election. Further I am unaware of any direction to our demographers other than to create a minority district that gave consideration to all communities of interest. Each of the three proposed maps accomplished those goals.

East County News Service

March 31, 2016 (El Cajon) -- As part of a Capital Campaign that will improve the lives of thousands, The Salvation Army in El Cajon will build a $5.4 million social services facility that will help to assist 1,500 families in East County every month. In a community where the poverty rate is approximately 30%--and 7,395 children living within two miles of our corps qualify for free or reduced price meals--the Salvation Army is there offering hope and a hand-up.  More than 40,000 are served from our El Cajon Corps annually with programs including: 

By Mimi Pollack

March 30, 2016 (El Cajon) - It is not easy leaving your home and moving to a new country as an immigrant or refugee. Many immigrants and refugees’ lives are shattered by political or religious conflict and they have to flee their countries. The ones who arrive in the United States have to learn a new language, and get accustomed to a new culture and different types of food. Not only that, many immigrants and refugees go from living in a rural place where they had land, or perhaps a house in the city with a garden to living in  small, urban apartments. Sometimes, they feel homesick and long for what they had back home. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 30, 2016 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police announced the arrest yesterday of John David Sanchez, 52, on felony assault charges. Sanchez, an Uber driver, is accused of sexually assaulting a female passenger in late February. 

East County News Service

March 30, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced recalls of three products including Toshiba laptop computer battery packs due to fire danger, Black Diamond carabiners used by rock climbers and nylon runners due to fall hazards.  Below are links for details.