By Miriam Raftery

January 8, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the trout season reopener at Santee Lakes, pianist John Nilson in Descanso, the Lore of the Kumeyaay at the Water Conservation Garden, full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, the Mousetrap onstage in La Mesa, a Martin Luther King commemoration in Lemon Grove honoring local civil rights leaders, as well as hawk watching events in Ramona and Santa Ysabel.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including a local authors’ expo at the El Cajon Library as well as authors at libraries in Julian and Rancho San Diego, live music by local bands and soloists at Riviera Supper Club and San Pasqual Winery in La Mesa, a 50 kilometer race and Active Lifestyle Expo in Santee, the Oak Ridge Boys at Sycuan, a chamber music society concert and a jazz performance in La Mesa, a concert by the Martin Luther King Choir ensemble in Lemon Grove, a star party at Mission Trails, and Seussical the Musical in Spring Valley. 

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

 

 

 

 

By Jillian Hymer

 

January 7, 2018 (San Diego’s East County)--Readers and writers in East County can attend literary events at local libraries.  Scroll down for in-depth details on January events and some February-March listings in East County, which we've listed in four categories: events for writers such as workshops and critique groups, author appearances, poetry events, and book clubs for readers to discuss literary works.

 

You can  get information on more upcoming events on the San Diego County Library website.

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Jay Adeff, U.S. Figure Skating Association

View video excerpts of their winning performances at U.S. nationals here:  https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/949798302979100679  and https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/949103279803392001

 

January 7, 2018 (Ramona) – Chris Knierim and his wife, Alexa Scimeca Knierim, have been chosen to represent the U.S. in the 2018 winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea in February, after capturing the first place medal at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. 

Knierim grew up in Ramona and Escondido, skating at San Diego Ice Arena in middle school, NBC 7 has reported. 

The couple nailed their Olympic spot with their signature thrown quadruple twist, despite missing side-by-side jumps.  They finished first overall after also taking first place in the short program.

 

East County News Service

January 6, 2018 (Santee) – From fishing events to movies, concerts, and holiday celebrations, you’ll find lots of activities coming up in the New Year at Santee Lakes—starting with Trout Re-Opener days on January 13 and 14, when the lakes will be stocked with 2,000 pounds of rainbow trout.

Scroll down for details and learn more at www.SanteeLakes.com.

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The first significant Pacific storm of the season is forecast to hit our region Monday night through Wednesday morning, bringing up to four inches of rain to mountain areas along with snow above 4,500 feet.  Thunderstorms, hail and gusty winds are also predicted.

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 January 5, 2017 (Spring Valley) – Sheriff’s detectives are seeking witnesses to a fatal shooting that occurred last night shortly before 9 p.m.

 Deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a fight near Albertson’s at 9831 Campo Road in the Casa de Oro neighborhood of Spring Valley. The caller reported hearing a possible gunshot and said multiple males were involved in the fight.

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 5, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions yesterday announced he is rescinding the Cole memorandum, an Obama administration policy that prevented the federal government from interfering with states that voted to legalize marijuana sales and use, though prosecutors could still target drug smugglers or criminals targeting minors. 

 Under Sessions’ new policy, federal prosecutors in states where pot is legal can now choose how aggressively they wish to enforce federal marijuana law. The action causes confusion in California, where sales of recreational marijuana began January 1^st in accordance with a voter-approved ballot initiative, and could have a chilling effect nationally.  Around 40 states have legalized medical marijuana and eight states plus the District of Columbia also allow recreational marijuana use.

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 4, 2018 (Ramona) – The woman found dead at 24478 Del Amo Road in Ramona yesterday has been identified as Samantha Hayes Benegas, 21, of El Cajon. Deputies responding to a 911 call reporting a murder suicide also found Bryan Kinkle, 35, of Ramona nearby with a serious wound; he was airlifted to a hospital but is not expected to survive according to Lieutenant Rich Williams with the Sheriff’s homicide unit. 

The County Medical Examiner’s officer has completed an autopsy on Benegas and found cause of death was a gunshot wound. 

 

By Suzanne Potter, Public News Service

Photo: Avid Creative

January 4, 2018 (Sacramento) -- Almost 250 California businesses and children's groups have sent a joint letter to the state's members of Congress, urging them to pass the Dream Act, which would give certain undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children a work permit and a path to citizenship.

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 4, 2018 (Aguanga) – Jeffrey Scott Littrell, 48, of Warner Springs has been arrested for felony driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.  Last night around 7:15 p.m., Littrell was driving his Ford pickup southbound on State Route 79 north of Chihuahua Valley Road when he struck a 5-year-old man walking alongside the highway.

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 4, 2017 (San Diego) – An e-coli outbreak that has sickened 58 people in the U.S., including California, and Canada is likely tied to consumption of romaine lettuce. At least one patient has died, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports.

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 4, 2018 (El Cajon) – Attorney Stephen J. Liosi has filed a motion on behalf of El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho asking the Superior Court to set aside a December ruling that dismissed Kalasho’s countersuit against plaintiffs who are suing him, including two contestants in a beauty pageant he ran and a taco shop owner.

The filing contends that Liosi failed to file documents in Kalasho’s defense, due to Liosi suffering a “traumatic brain injury” after his head struck the windshield in a vehicle accident in 2016.  The motion states that Kalasho has now secured new counsel.

 

Source: California Office of Traffic Safety

January 3, 2018 (Sacramento) -- Just like drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs is a crime – even if your impairment is due to prescribed medications, illicit drugs, over-the-counter medications or marijuana – medical or recreational. The legal and monetary consequences are the same – up to $10,000 in fines, fees and insurance costs, restricted licensing, days off work to go to court, a criminal record and more.

 

Source: Sharp Grossmont Hospital

January 3, 2018 (La Mesa) - {C}

      The Senior Resource Center at Sharp Grossmont Hospital offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources. For more information, call 619-740-4214. For other programs, call 1-800-827-4277 or visit their website at www.sharp.com.

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

January 3, 2018 (Ramona) – Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 caller reporting a murder suicide at a home on 24478 Del Amo Road in Ramona shortly after noon today.  Inside, they found a dead woman and a wounded man who was air lifted to a local hospital in serious condition.  The man’s injuries are considered life threatening, says Lieutenant Rich Williams with the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail.