Adela de la Torre becomes the ninth permanent president of SDSU and the first woman to serve in that role.

Source:  SDSU News Center

January 31, 2018 (San Diego) - The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Adela de la Torre to serve as president of San Diego State University. De la Torre currently serves as vice chancellor, student affairs and campus diversity at the University of California, Davis.

By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – You might be surprised to learn where the highest levels of ozone pollution are in San Diego County. Hint: it’s not urban areas in local cities, but rather, communities in East County’s mountains and desert areas.

By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2018 (San Diego) – In what she calls a “wakeup call for men who buy sex,” San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan today announced the arrest of 29 men following a three-week sting operation. 

East County News Service

January 30, 2018 (La Mesa) -- In celebration of Valentine's Day, you’re invited to take your sweetheart, best friend, or even a group of friends to a dessert & wine pairing at San Pasqual Winery tasting room in La Mesa’s downtown village.

East County News Service

January 30, 2018 (East County) – Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the 12 Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the restaurants at 9418 Mission Gorge Road in Santee and 8200 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, will host a “Daddy-Daughter Date Night” for fathers and daughters from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7.

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2018 (San Diego) – Two immigrants protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program have been arrested for involvement in human smuggling in two separate incidents, The U.S. Border Patrol reports.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Image credit:  PhotoSpin

January 29, 2018 (San Diego) - It’s that time of the year again to get your income taxes filed, and you might be able to get them done for free.

The County is once again teaming up with its local partners to help low-income families or individuals prepare their taxes at no cost.

Victims encouraged to file claims with insurers

Source: California Insurance Commissioner’s Office

January 29, 2018 (Santa Barbara) -- Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today issued a formal notice to all property and casualty insurance companies reminding them of their duty to cover damages from the recent mudslide and debris flows if it is determined that the ravaging of hillsides and vegetation by the Thomas and other fires was the efficient proximate cause of the mudslides. In general homeowners' insurance policies, excludes flood, mudslide, debris flow and other similar events.

By Chris Jennewein, credit to Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

Photo:  Ernest and Evelyn Rady at the Salvation Army’s Door of Hope in Linda Vista. Photo by Chris Jennewein

January 29, 2018 (San Diego) - Philanthropists Ernest and Evelyn Rady announced Monday an unprecedented $50 million donation to The Salvation Army to help homeless individuals and families in San Diego.

By Miriam Raftery

January 29, 2018 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa invites residents to attend two upcoming town hall meetings, where elected officials and city staff will be on hand to answer residents’ questions and hear concerns.  The forums will be held Tuesday, January 30 at the La Mesa Arts Academy (4200 Parks Ave.) and Tuesday, Feb. 6 at Northmont Elementary School (9045 Gregory Street), both from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Mayor Mark Arapostathis and City Council members Kristine Alessio, Bill Baber, Guy McWhirter and Colin Parent are expected to participate, as well as Police Chief Walt Vasquez, Heartland Fire & Rescue Chief Colin Stowell, City Manager Yvonne Garrett, City Attorney Gleen Sabine, and staffers from La Mesa’s departments of public works, finance, and community development.

East County News Service

January 28, 2018 (San Diego) -- The California Democratic Party's Region 18 this week endorsed Ammar Campa-Najjar for Congress in the 50^th district at its pre-endorsement conference, which included delegates from East County and San Diego. 

Campa-Najjar received 97% of the delegate vote in a four-way contest with candidate Josh Butner and potential candidates Patrick Malloy and Larry Tract. Since Campa-Najjar exceeded the threshold of 70% of the vote, the party's state convention is expected to ratify the region's recommendation on February 25th, which would give a major boost to Campa-Najjar in his effort to win the June primary and square off against incumbent Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter in November.

"I am humbled to have earned this endorsement by such a wide margin," said Campa-Najjar, who has raised over half a million dollars to date for his campaign.  He adds that during his campaign, he has been meeting people across the district at farms and rodeos, bars and diners, churches, mosques, synagogues, college campuses and senior centers, VFW halls and memorials, libraries, city halls, rallies, backyards, living rooms and dining rooms.

Santillan scores four goals to pace the Flash at home; San Diego’s magic number to clinch playoff berth remains at three entering the bye week

Source:  San Diego Sockers

Photo courtesy sdsockers.com

January 28, 2018 (Monterrey, Mexico) - Omar Santillan's four-goal performance power the Monterrey Flash to a 6-3 win over the visiting San Diego Sockers in Arena Monterrey on Sunday afternoon. The Flash improved to 15-0, while the Sockers dropped to 12-3 on the season. The win gives Monterrey the advantage in the playoffs, if the two teams meet again the game will be played in Mexico. San Diego's magic number to clinch a playoff berth remains at three.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Jade White and John Berray of Instructional Technology at GUHSD 1/22/18 (photo credit GUHSD)

January 28, 2018 (El Cajon) - The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) has completed its first semester of integrated math successfully, according to Jade White and John Berray, who gave details on the roll-out at January’s governing board meeting.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

Hear our full in-depth interview, originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio, by clicking the audio link.

January 28, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Shamus Sayed, a Republican running in the 50^th Congressional District for the seat currently held by Rep. Duncan Hunter, calls himself a fiscally conservative, socially moderate Republican.  He says he’s running, “because I want to make a change” and because he wants to bring “integrity and accountability” to the offices.

Rep. Hunter is under criminal investigation by the Justice Department for alleged use of campaign funds for lavish personal expenses.  A federal grand jury has recently been convened, raising the potential for an indictment, though Hunter has stated recently that he has no intentional of stepping down.

East County News Service

January 27, 2018 (La Mesa) – A 44-year-old man was struck and killed last night by a Ford Taurus while walking southbound across westbound lanes of traffic in the 8500 block of Fletcher Parkway.

La Mesa Police received a call reporting the accident around 9 p.m. The victim was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries. His identity is being withheld pending family notifications.