By Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2018 (Campo)—A grandmother and a second bystander came to the aid of a school bus driver confronted by a man armed with a knife, while an older student helped youngsters escape out a back exit.

The bus was heading to Campo Elementary School around 8:30 a.m. when Matthew Barker, 37, of Campo boarded the bus near Jeb Stuart road. The driver told him to leave, but instead advanced toward students until the driver blocked his way.

By Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2018 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, candidate for the 50^th Congressional district currently held by Rep. D. Duncan Hunter, sat down for an  interview with East County Magazine’s show on KNSJ radio. In his interview, he spoke about both conservative values and a need for compassion in addressing a broad range of issues, as well as how his experience heading up the city of El Cajon has prepared him for serving in Congress, if elected.

Hear the full interview by clicking the audio link and scroll down for highlights.

Asked why he decided to run, Wells says, “It really started with elected officials across the region worried about the Congressman being under criminal investigation.”  Both Wells and Hunter are conservative Republicans. 

To Wells, the race is primarily about character and integrity. In a thoughtful and in-depth interview, he also discussed some areas where his views differ, such as budget cutting priorities and restraint with nuclear weapons, as well as some initiatives of his own in healthcare and treatment of the mentally ill.

By James Kecskes, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 25, 2018 (San Diego) - Having air-conditioned Cool Zones where seniors and others can congregate to beat the heat not only reduces their individual energy costs, but can protect their health.

The Cool Zones program was started by Supervisor Dianne Jacob in 2001. The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Aging & Independence Services partners with SDG&E to provide a network of Cool Zone sites for seniors and people with disabilities to escape extreme heat during the summer.

To locate a Cool Zone, call 1-800-339-4661, or visit www.CoolZones.org.

East County News Service

Photos: Ernest J. Dronenberg, incumbent, left; challenger Matt Strabone, right

May 23, 2018 (San Diego) – A normally low-profile, countywide political race that often falls under the radar for many voters features incumbent Ernie Dronenburg seeking his third term the office of San Diego County assessor-recorder-clerk.   San Diego ethics attorney Matt Strabone is the challenger.

May 23, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Supreme Court backs employers over workers in first of two major labor cases (USA Today)
• Bowing to pressure, White House to host bipartisan briefing on Russia investigation (The Hill)
• How good is it for the class of 2018? (Marketplace)
• Trump admin moves to ban federally funded clinics from giving abortion referrals (The Hill)
• Future of fire: What if our forests don’t come back?  (Outside)
• Kilauea's Wrath Threatens Power Plant — And Hawaii's Most Powerful Industry (NPR)
• Little difference between gun owners, non-gun owners on key gun policies (MedicalXpress)
• Texas school had a shooting plan, armed officers, and practice. Still, 10 people died. (Washington Post)
• Judge rules Trump can’t block users on Twitter (The Hill)

WORLD

• Dozens of foreign ISIS brides sentenced to death in Iraq (New York Post)
• Mexican truckers travel in fear as highway robberies bleed economy  (Reuters)
• Lawmakers Propose to Extend Putin's Term Limits as President  (NPR)
• U.S. cautions citizens in China after 'abnormal' sound incident  (Reuters)
• French authorities foil possible ricin plot by Egyptian-born student (CBC)
• Fires break out in several towns by Gaza border (JPost)
• Venezuela's Maduro re-elected amid outcry over vote (Reuters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Gary Gorton, St. Pius X Wine Tasting Festival Committee

Photos, left and below right: Vineyards and tasting room at Granite Lion Cellars in Jamul

May 23, 2018 (Jamul) -- Jamul has always been identified as a wine rich region. Grapes and wine were introduced to California in San Diego at the site of the Mission de Alcala, the first of the California Missions by Father Junipero Sierra who established the first vineyard on the Mission Valley Property back in 1769. The first wine for sacramental use was made by the monks in 1774.

How appropriate, then, that it is St. Pius X in Jamul hosting the third-annual wine-tasting festival this year. The date is June 30, 2018 from 5:30pm to 9:00 pm. The festival will be sponsored by the Wineries on Highway 94 and is being hosted at Jamal’s own D&S Farms, home of Granite Lion Cellars.

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival, a Warrior Hike Challenge on El Capitan Mountain in Lakeside, Fortunate Son in concert in downtown El Cajon, Laurel and Hardy films in Spring Valley, and a stockroom speakeasy at Baron’s Market in Alpine.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including La Mesa’s Flag Day parade, Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, Fido Fest in Santee, movies in county parks, a Secret Garden Party in El Cajon, the San Diego Concert Band in La Mesa, a Taste of La Mesa, Santee’s summer concerts, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, a historic quilt show, Santee Salutes and Julian’s Fourth of July parade.

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

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 22, 2018 (San Diego) - A new law allows voters who missed the voter registration deadline on May 21 to register on a later date and vote on that same day. However, San Diego County residents who want to take advantage of the Conditional Voter Registration law for the June 5 gubernatorial primary election must visit the Registrar of Voters office in Kearny Mesa to do so.

Source: Grossmont Cuyamaca Community College District

May 22, 2018 (El Cajon) - An agreement signed between the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and a Prague university will allow graduates who have earned a degree from one of the two East County colleges to continue their education in the Czech Republic.

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2018 (Santee) – An e-mail threat that referenced a possible act of violence at an unnamed high school in Santee prompted additional law enforcement patrols today at Santana and West Hills High Schools.

According to Sgt. William Amavisca at the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, “The investigation has found no evidence to suggest the threat has any validity. There is currently no immediate threat to either campus or student thus far.”

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By Liz Alper

Photo:  Juan Soto kicked off a night of three home runs for the Nationals with his first big league homer in the second.  Via @Nationals on Twitter

May 21, 2018 (Washington, D.C.) - After a successful series against the Pirates, the Padres journeyed to our nation’s capital to start a midweek series with the Nationals.  Robbie Erlin started against Gio Gonzalez for the Nats.

East County News Service

May 21, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The Bluegrass Brethren will perform this Saturday, May 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Rock of Refuge Church, 450 N. Pierce Street in El Cajon.

There is no admission charge to hear this Southern California bluegrass group, though donation offerings are welcome.   For questions, call 619-442-5941.

Source:  Saps at Sea

May 1, 2018 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the official Laurel & Hardy fan club of San Diego, will continue their slam-bang festival of Funtastic films on Saturday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. (with the show starting at 7:00 p.m.) at Williams Hall at Trinity Church (3902 Kenwood Drive) in Spring Valley. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2018 (San Diego) – If you live in area code 619 or 858, you now have to dial the area code even for local calls.  If you’re calling from a land line, you’ll also need to dial 1, then the area code, followed by the seven-digit phone number.