East County News Service

May 8, 2018 (San Diego's East County) – The 14 Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the two East County restaurants at 9418 Mission Gorge Road in Santee and 8200 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa, are partnering with the San Diego Padres for a “Chick-fil-A Double-Play” promotion during the 2018 season at Petco Park.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Spirng Valley novelist Kate Quinn, New York Times best-selling author of  The Alice Network, will be among the writers at event

May 8, 2018 (San Diego) -- With more bricks and mortar booksellers closing their doors, authors are getting creative about marketing their books.  Making “house calls” to book clubs is not just a way to sell more books, though. It’s a great way to connect with readers who want meaningful discussion with their favorite authors. 

East County News Service

May 8, 2018 (Santee) – Champion Gymnastics and Cheer (10580 Prospect Ave., Santee) will host a free open house Saturday, May 19 from 2-5 p.m. to celebrate its anniversary. 

The public is invited for tours of the facility offering lessons in gymnastics, cheer, tumbling, parkour, and dance plus laser tag, birthday parties, summer camp and a CHAMPS meetup group. There will be free use of the gym, a bounce house, foam pit, hotdogs, popcorn and beverages, plus karaoke and prizes.

For more information, call (619) 449-7717 or visit www.cgcchamps.com. If you sign up for a class, you can also get 50% off the first month’s tuition.

By Miriam Raftery

May 7, 2018 (Santee) – One in seven people entering a hospital needs blood. One pint of blood, the amount volunteer give when they donate blood, can save up to three lives.  Around 38% of people in the U.S. are eligible to donate blood, but less than 10% do so annually.  You can help by donating blood during the Santee Street Fair on Saturday, May 26^th from 10 a.m. to 3:30. The fair is located at Riverview Parkway and Town Center Parkway in Santee.  (View map and event details.)

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

Cover photo:  Santana freshman Joey Barkhimer's solo homer in the sixth put the Sultans up by two until the Chieftains erased their lead in the very next inning.

May 7, 2018 (Santee) - In our first-ever trip to Santana High, ECM Sports got some softball action under our belt as the lady Sultans hosted the Clairemont Chieftains for a non-conference faceoff.  The Sultans rock an impressive 18-8 record on the season.  Junior Madison Mendez started on the hill for the Sultans against Jennee Brodeur for the Chieftains.

East County News Service

May 7, 2018 (Santee) - The city of Santee invites you to Fido Fest on June 9^th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive in Santee).

This event will feature dog adoptions, exhibitors, giveaways, demonstrations, live entertainment and a silent auction to benefit Dogs on Deployment, which helps deployed military members find volunteers to board their pets while they are away.

East County News Service

May 6, 2018 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces that the 10th annual “Taste of La Mesa” will be held on Monday, June 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive) in La Mesa.  The event features samples of foods, wines, and beers from dozens of local restaurants, wineries and breweries.

SDSU wins first road series at New Mexico since 2004

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

May 6, 2018 (Albuquerque) - The San Diego State baseball team defeated New Mexico, 7-3, in its series finale at Santa Ana Star Field on Sunday afternoon to capture a series win over the Lobos. SDSU improves to 33-15 (15-8 Mountain West), while UNM drops to 16-30-1 (9-18 MW).

Aztecs outhit Lobos in loss  

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo:  Kelsey Munoz was 3-for-3 in the Aztecs' 4-1 loss at New Mexico.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

May 6, 2018 (Alberquerque) - San Diego State outhit New Mexico, 8-4, but left 11 runners on base for a third straight game in a 4-1 loss at Lobo Softball Field Sunday afternoon in Albuquerque, N.M. The Aztecs dropped to 17-31 overall and 8-13 in MW play, while the Lobos improved to 14-36 and 7-14 with the series win.

By Miriam Raftery

May 6, 2018 (Santee) – A sobriety and driver license checkpoint conducted by Sheriff’s deputies in Santee last night near Mission Gorge Road and State Route 125 resulted in five DUI (driving under the influence arrests). In addition, six citations were issued for suspended/revoked or no driver’s licenses and eight vehicles were impounded.

By Kilian Colin

“Mr. Miller is nothing but a bully, mocking people who want to oppose his political views.” –Kilian Colin, who has launched a Recall Jim Miller page on Facebook.

May 5, 2018 (El Cajon) -- I was just starting my breakfast before heading to school. I like to check news and social media while eating breakfast, and I noticed an article about a counseling intern at Hillsdale Middle School who had her contract revoked because she spoke to the press about the fact that the students who participated in the March 14 school walk out for Parkland were given detention. I was upset to learn that the intern’s First Amendment right to freedom of speech was violated. I decided to attend the next board meeting to speak to the board about this unfair action against the intern, who lost her job and was banned from applying to any future position in the district.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

May 5, 2018 (Ramona)--Cal Fire advises that a brush fire is burning in Ramona. The blaze, now about seven acres, started at Montecito Road and North Ramona. The blaze is 10 percent contained and burning at a moderate rate of speed.

The Sheriff's Department reported moments ago that the fire is mostly in a riverbed and that no homes are currently threatened. Residents and motorists are asked to please keep the area clear for emergency vehicles.

By Jake Robison

May 4, 2018 (El Cajon) -- St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC) will hold its inaugural Our Secret Garden Party on Saturday, June 2 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 2119 East Madison Avenue, El Cajon. This event will give SMSC’s supporters and the San Diego community the chance to experience SMSC’s magical garden and new aquatics center.

Runway Shoes & Accessories features prom season’s hottest fashions

By Reema Makani Boccia

May 4, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) -- With the average cost of prom around $1,000 per attendee, parents and students need ideas for how to have the full milestone experience without digging so deep into their wallets.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

On Friday, May 4, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. a fundraiser at the San Diego Firehouse Museum will offer an opportunity to see the museum and to raise money for cancer patients Glenn Stewart and Paula Hamma. The Heartland Firefighters Foundation is holding a fundraiser at the museum to help these family members of the men and women who fight our wildfires and other fires in East County.

The museum, founded in 1962 and located in San Diego’s Little Italy, houses steel from the World Trade Center, firefighting equipment from the late 1800s, La Jolla’s first fire engine and more. Besides seeing the museum, the taco plates ($10) and beer ($5) offered will be a great way to contribute to monies to help Stewart and Hamma. There is no entry fee.