East County News Service

January 31, 2023 (Lakeside) – If you’re not a fan of football, Lake Jennings is offering you a quiet alternative to cheer about: on Super Bowl Sunday, February 12, the lake is offering free boat launches. If you do want to watch the big game, you can take in some early morning fishing before kick-off

Poll finds only 9% of voters support such cuts, including just 15% of Republican voters.

By Raquel Damus

January 31, 2023 (Washington D.C.) --After the U.S surpassed its debt limit, lawmakers are calling for important decisions to be made so that the government can continue paying bills already authorized by Congress.  

East County News Service

January 30, 2023 (Washington D.C.) -- Congressman Darrell Issa (R-48) has introduced the Saving Our Invaluable Land (SOIL) Act, which would prohibit China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from purchasing land within 10 miles of sensitive U.S. agencies and strategic sites, including military bases and federally-funded research labs.

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2023 (Escondido) – Throughout February, admission is free to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido for seniors age 65 and up.

Enjoy the sights on an Africa Tram, see the platypuses and other Aussie species at Walkabout Australia, wander through Tiger Trail, take a stroll around Mombasa Lagoon, ride on the African tram, and relax with refreshments on the patio at Kijamii Overlook. There's a world of sights to see at the Safari Park.

Update: Due to inclement weather, this event has been postponed until March 19.

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2023 (Lakeside) – Lakeside Chamber of Commerce invites you to Touch-a-Truck, an experience “geared towards the kid in all of us,” according to the event website.  Guests can touch and see a wide variety of vehicles, trucks and equipment during the event on Sunday, Februry 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 11600 Riverside Drive in Lakside.

POSTPONED:  Due to inclement weather, Fido Fest has been postponed until Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Due to inclement weather, The City of Santee’s seventh annual Fido Fest will be postponed to March 11. Our focus is on the safety and enjoyment of our furry friends and their families. The event is rescheduled to Saturday, March 11 from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. at Town Center Community Park East, located at 550 Park Center Drive, Santee. Join us for a dog-gone good time…”

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2023 (Santee) – Fido Fest, the largest dog festival in East County, will be presented by the city of Santee on Saturday, February 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dog adoptions, giveaways, a dog agility course, costume contest and much more will be available at the free event held at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive).

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland and Miriam Raftery 

View video by Douglas Quaid including event highlights and ECM interviews with Monica Dean (photo, left) and Dr. Rhonda Taylor

January 28, 2023 (Lakeside) –Sex trafficking of children inSan Diego “is happening in every single school district inSan Diego County,” NBC San Diego investigative reporter Monica Dean (photo, left) told parents and teachers during a showing of the documentary film “Stolen” at El Capitan High School in Lakeside on January 19.

That shocking evidence was found during NBC San Diego’s award-winning investigative reporting series on which the film is based. Dean, a mother of three young children, hopes to raise awareness to protect vulnerable children and teens in the community from exploitation by traffickers. “We all have to stand up against them,” she says of traffickers. “We all have a role to play.”

San Diego is one of the country’s hotspots for trafficking of adults and children – the FBI has ranked San Diego as one of the 13 worst regions in the United States with up to 8,000 victims per year.

Story and photos by Ken Stone,Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

January 28, 2023 (Santee) - Former Miss California Carrie Prejean Boller took the lectern at Wednesday’s Santee City Council meeting and declared that she “identified” as Christynne Wood — and thus deserved the same three minutes of public comment time.

Source:  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

January 28, 2023 (San Diego) - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from the San Diego Field Office kicked off the new year strong, seizing more than $9 million worth of dangerous drugs at its ports of entry. From January 4 through January 22, nine significant seizures led CBP officers to extract 515 packages of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin from travelers’ vehicles.

Story and Photos by Josh Stotler

January 27, 2023 (Spring Valley) -- A single vehicle collision into a power pole ignited a small vegetation fire off of Elevator Road in Spring valley today. The reports of smoke came in to Heartland Fire Dispatch just before noon and units from Heartland, Cal Fire and air support from the San Diego Sheriffs dept. we’re quickly on the scene.

Source: Trauma intervention Programs (TIP) of San Diego

January 27, 2023 (San Diego) - Neighbors helping neighbors in crisis.  That is what local nonprofit, Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego (TIP), thrives on. For over 37 years, TIP volunteers have been responding to a continuous high demand need of crisis intervention requests in San Diego County. 

January 26, 2023 (Pala) -- Pala Casino Spa Resort is excited to present legendary group Spyro Gyra and world-renowned prolific acoustic guitarist Peter White on Friday, February 17, performing live indoor at the Events Center. The show will start at 8:00 p.m. General admission tickets are $45.

This show is just one of the impressive lineup of headliner and tribute concerts that will be held at the Events Center and Starlight Theater.

By Pennell Paugh

On January 27, 7 to 9 p.m., San Diego Public Library is proud to sponsor the 2022 Showcase, featuring published works by San Diego's most talented authors. The event is live and in-person! The library will be featuring a stunning collection of display cabinets filled with locally authored books from several different genres. The display will be available for public browsing for the entire month of February, afterwards the books will be prepared to circulate for one year. Books will also be featured in an online exhibit. Please visit the Local Author website for more information and to view previous online exhibits.

Multi-award-winning local author T. Greenwood will be delivering a keynote speech. The evening will feature local jazz musicians, Ria & Aaron, light refreshments, a limited open mike event and a few more surprises.

Registration is highly suggested for authors and their guests.

By Miriam Raftery

January 25, 2023 (Alpine) – Late last fall, Sweetwater Water Authority authorized draining Loveland Reservoir down to  minimum pool and then in November, further draining to dead pool status over public objections, as ECM reported,  That extreme draining left an L-shaped floating fishing dock paid for by taxpayers through a federal HUD grant perched on dry land.

Then came the deluge of rainfall in mid-January, which ripped apart the fishing dock.

East County News Service

January 24, 2023 (Julian) – Julian Tea & Cottage Arts invites you to romantically-inspired Valentine’s Teas from Feb.9 through Feb. 14.  The four-course menu features soup, finger sandwiches and savories, a scone with curd, jam and whipped cream, plus a grand finale served on a three-piece dessert tray.