By Miriam Raftery, East County News Service

May 16, 2016 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – A Honda Civic belonging to a missing Buena Park man, Jonathan Barmaki, has been found by Border Patrol agents on Old Highway 80 near a welcome sign to Jacumba Hot Springs on May 9th. Agents found Barmaki's cherished 15-year-old dog, Andy,  dead inside the vehicle.

The vehicle was not out of gas and Barmaki’s wallet and keys were missing, though his cell phone, along with dog food and a dog bowl, were left in the car. The car windows were rolled up and footsteps from the vehicle led 70 feet to a border fence 25 feet high. Authorities are investigating the disappearance as"suspicious,"10 News reports. 

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

May 15, 2016 (Milwaukee) - The Padres finally played their last game of this series against Milwaukee.  They started another newbie, Cesar Vargas, on the mound against Zach Davies for Milwaukee.

East County News Service

May 15, 2016 (San Diego) -The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in San Diego’s 8^th Annual International Documentary Film Series continues May 16, and 23, screening three compelling documentary films that shed light on what life is like for refugees around the world. Plus, each film will be followed by Q&A with a guest speaker who has relevant firsthand experience providing humanitarian response to conflict and disaster.  See flyer on the website for schedule and details.

East County News Service

Image from the Alpine High School Citizens Committee that has worked for years to get a high school built.  Now a judge’s ruling could deprive Alpine of bond money that voters approved for the school.

May 15, 2016 (Alpine) — An attorney representing the Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability has told East County Magazine that his client is prepared to file an appeal if Judge Joel Pressman’s preliminary ruling setting aside a preliminary injunction against the Grossmont Union High School district stands. 

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

May 14, 2016 (San Diego) - What a first return season the San Diego Gulls gave us.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  Charles Callison and Valentine Izundu (left), Youtube screenshot

May 14, 2016 (San Diego) - After a long battle, Washington State University basketball player Valentine Izundu is transferring to San Diego State.

By Miriam Raftery

May 14, 2016 (El Cajon ) –The County Medical Examiner’s office has identified a decomposing body found in Forrester Creek in El Cajon on January 5^th as Paul Frederick Jones, 50. 

Jones, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, had been reported missing on November 29, 2015 after packing his belongings and leaving Carroll’s Community Care, an assisted living facility for patients with mental illnesses.

TheMedical Examiner used DNA testing to confirm Jones’ identity, but has not been able to locate his family.  His cause of death could not be determined and it remains unknown whether Frederick was dead before he wound up in the water, or if he drowned.

By Liz Alper

May 14, 2016 (San Diego) - After a win last night, Aztec baseball looked to repeat today in the doubleheader. Harrison Pyatt got the start for SDSU.

$1,000 fine for passing a school bus with red lights flashing or stop sign extended

East County News Service

May 14, 2016 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Dept. asks drivers to help keep roads safer for kids.  Traffic enforcement officers and school bus drivers have noticed an increase in driver’s passing school buses that are loading or unloading students. 

East County News Service

May 14, 2016 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to have a ropin’ good time at a Cactus Garden BBQ at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum, a hidden gem at 131 Rea Street, just off Main Street in downtown El Cajon. On June 4^th and 5^th from 5 to 9 p.m. Sons of Charity Inc. will celebrate western Heritage and famed artist Olaf Wieghorst’s iconic art with a cowboy BBQ and concert by “Smith and Western.

By Liz Alper

May 13, 2016 (San Diego) - The struggling Aztecs baseball team looked to end its home season on a strong note in its series against Air Force.  Dominic Purpura got the start for SDSU against Ethan Nichols for Air Force.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Lemon Grove) - Chantella Matira Ferguson, 32, of Lemon Grove died May 9^th shortly after midnight at Scripps Memorial Hospital of injuries sustained when she was struck by a vehicle at 11:15 p.m. on May 7^th. 

By Liz Alper

Photo:  the Padres and Brewers take a moment of silence for Charles Keating IV, a Navy SEAL who was buried in Coronado today.

May 13, 2016 (Milwaukee) - The Padres looked to continue yesterday’s success against Milwaukee.  Newbie Christian Friedrich got the start for the Padres and Junior Gerra for the Brewers.

By Miriam Raftery

May 13, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – After more than four years of efforts by local environmentalists and community leaders to convince the state to take action on a 25-year-old resolution, Caltrans and the City of San Diego have designated State Route 52 a Scenic Highway. 

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Washington D.C.) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising that the serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs generally outweigh the benefits for patients with sinusitis, bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections who have other treatment options. For patients with these conditions, fluoroquinolone should be reserved for those who do not have alternative treatment options.