By Miriam Raftery

March 12, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Agents from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the El Cajon Police Department arrested five suspects in El Cajon on March 10th for ABC violations, including three who furnished alcoholic beverages to minors. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 11, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A new storm is set to hit our region starting Wednesday, along with cold temperatures.  Rainfall is forecast to be heaviest Friday and Saturday, with snow at higher elevations.

Aztecs to battle Cougars on Thursday in Wichita, Kansas

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

March 11, 2018 (San Diego) - The San Diego State men's basketball team received word of its postseason destination on Sunday, earning the No. 11 seed in the West Region against No. 6 seed Houston in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Aztecs (22-10, 11-7 MW), who captured the Mountain West tournament championship, will face the Cougars (26-7, 14-4 AAC) on Thursday, March 15 at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.

East County News Service

March 11, 2018 (Ramona) -- The Ramona Valley Vineyard Association presents Meet the Winemaker Weekend, taking place at 10 local Ramona wineries on April 7^th, 2018 and April 8^th.  The event features a behind the scene taste, tour and exclusive meeting with the winery owners and winemakers.

East County News Service

March 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is continuing its support of community healthcare clinics who serve low-income, uninsured and underserved residents of the East County with recent grants to the La Maestra Family Clinic, Family Health Centers of San Diego and Vista Hill Foundation.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 10, 2018 (Spring Valley) - While college March Madness is fun, high school March Madness is proving to be just as exciting as tonight, the Patriots of Christian High School traveled to Spring Valley to face the Matadors of Mount Miguel in a 12 vs. 13-seed Division IV matchup in the CIF Southern Sectional state playoff quarterfinals. A tough but fun contest awaited; the Patriots were an almost spotless 11-1 in league play coming into tonight’s game and 22-9 overall.  Compare that to Mount Miguel’s perfect 8-0 record in the Grossmont League and 31-4 record and this was going to be a fun game.

East County News Service

March 10, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, is now presenting its Winter Art Exhibit showcasing 13 art pieces by Fabian Diaz Luevano of El Cajon.

East County News Service

Drop off at any San Diego County Library branch or at the COC Library office at 5560 Overland Ave suite 11.

By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2018 (Sacramento) – California driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted as valid ID on airline flights in the U.S., or at military bases or other secure facilities after September 30^th, 2020. It’s important to plan ahead to apply for a Real ID, since you may need lead time to obtain copies of documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or Social Security number if you don’t have copies currently, and you may need a marriage certificate if any of those documents are in a maiden name. You’ll also need to make an appoint to visit the DMV with these documents.

Below are instructions from the Department of Motor Vehicles on what you need to know if you plan to travel via airlines or access certain federal facilities in the future.

East County News Service

March 9, 2018 (Borrego Springs) – Back by popular demand at the Anza Borrego Foundation’s Front Porch Revue on March 17^th and 18^th at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, Jimmy Smith promises this year will be even more outrageous than last time as he gathers the talent in Borrego together.  Enjoy a night of laughter, music, and good spirits, all in support of the work Anza-Borrego Foundation does in partnership with Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Update March 9, 2018:  Carl DeMaio announced that he won't be turning in papers by the filing deadline today to run against Rep. Duncan Hunter. In an e-mail to supporters, he wrote, “While I, too, am frustrated with the lack of results and the double-standards for Washington politicians, I believe the Gas Tax Repeal Initiative campaign and our plans for subsequent reform initiatives in California are so much more important,” Times of San Diego reports.

By Miriam Raftery

March 8, 2018 (San Diego) – Former San Diego Councilman Carl DeMaio has pulled papers to run in the 50^th Congressional District currently represented by fellow Republican Duncan D. Hunter. 

DeMaio served one term on the Council from 2008 to 2012.  He has previously run for mayor and lost to Bob Filner. He also ran for Congress previously but was defeated by Scott Peters, who currently serves in the 52^nd District.

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications

March 8, 2018 (San Diego) -- A woman with a probable case of hepatitis A may have exposed inmates at the Vista Detention Facility and Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee, the County Health and Human Services Agency reported today.

By Sierra Billock

March 8, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- On Saturday, March 3, 2018, the city of La Mesa and the city of Santee held the annual Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageants. The programs have been a tradition in the cities since the late 1960’s and are an outstanding mentoring program for young women. Mayor John Minto from Santee and Mayor Mark Araposathis from La Mesa were in attendance to formally present Miss La Mesa 2018 Kelli Loper, Miss Teen La Mesa 2018 Kennedy Dirkes, Miss Santee 2018 Laurene Vouaux and Miss Teen Santee 2018 Jordan Bockert.

By Miriam Raftery

March 8, 2018 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service is predicting rain this weekend across San Diego County, with a “stronger and wetter” storm moving into the region next week.

Flooding and gusty winds are possible, with the heaviest rainfall locally forecast for Wednesday through Friday of next week, says Alex Tardy, forecaster with the National Weather Service in San Diego.

The rain is needed, since snowpack moisture levels are still far below normal statewide despite some recent wet weather.

Update March 8, 2018:  The suspect has been identified as Dylan Poston, 26.  He is being held without bail, charged with murder.  The victim has been identified as Anderson Lopes, 24, an active-duty member of the U.S. Navy.

By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2018 (El Cajon) – A man assaulted in his apartment at 13806 Pinkard Way in unincorporated El Cajon has died of his injuries.  His wife called 911 on Tuesday night shortly after 10:30 p.m. to report her husband was injured and not breathing after an assault.