By Jo Moreland, Alpine Chamber of Commerce

June 30, 2017 (Alpine) -- Follow the money at the next “Hot Topics Breakfast” of the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce. Guest speaker Dan McAllister, the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector, will give an overview of what his office does during the Tuesday, July 11 Chamber meeting.

Originally built in 1972 with 12 beds, the expanded emergency department will nearly double its patient capacity with space for future expansion

East County News Service

June 30, 2017 (San Diego) -- San Diego-based general contractor Pacific Building Group raised the final beam Thursday to complete or “top out” the steel structure of Alvarado Hospital Medical Center’s expanded emergency department while 100 guests looked on. Hospital staff and community members signed the beam, now situated within the structure.

East County News Service

June 30, 2017 (San Diego ) – The San Diego County Sheriff is asking all County residents to be on the looking for Pablo Duran, who goes by multiple aliases and is considered armed and dangerous.

He is wanted for suspicion of murdering his employer, contractor Robert Pierro,on June 7 in Vista.  According to a press release issued today, he fled from law enforcement and his whereabouts are unknown. There is an active felony arrest for him.

Hear audio of the meeting: 

http://www.mediafire.com/file/vf31iozwi183wxj/ElCajonHomelessForum1.mp3

By Paul Kruze

June 30, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Spurred on by a mentally ill homeless woman who made her street home in front of a shuttered El Cajon motel on East Main Street earlier this month and numerous homeless individuals settling in central El Cajon, some 50 El Cajon residents gathered in the Community Room at the El Cajon Police Department for a town hall meeting last Monday night hosted by El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and Chief of Police Jeff Davis.

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo:  Dinelson Lamet was stellar tonight:  seven innings, four hits, no runs, one walk and eight strikeouts and only 96 pitches.  Via @Padres on Twitter

June 29, 2017 (San Diego) - The Padres put in good offensive work last night and stopped the Braves’ rally to even the series at one win apiece.  They had the chance to take the series tonight as the Braves’ Jaime Garcia faced Dinelson Lamet.

East County News Service

June 29, 2017 (El Cajon) – John “Mac” McLaughlin, president and CEO of the USS Midway Museum and a retired Navy Rear Admiral, will be the keynote speaker at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Luncheon. The event takes place on August 17 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon.

By Greg Dunne

June 28, 2017 (Alpine) -- The melon season has started!  With the start of summer, California melons from the desert are starting to come to the market. This melon season get bold and try a variety you haven’t tried before.

East County News Service

June 28, 2017 (Tierrasanta) – You’re invited to bring your dog for K-9s and cocktails—including a happy hour buffet--at Andiamo’s Ristorante in Tierrasanta (5950 Santo Rd., San Diego) on Wednesday nights, July 26^th, August 30^th, September 27^th and an October 25^th Halloween party.

June 28, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• Just in time for July 4^th, San Diego revealed as U.S. city with 5^th worst drivers (10 News)
• Supervisors approve three-pronged plan for affordable housing (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• What is causing an outbreak that has infected 181 people and killed four? (SDUT)
• In San Diego, Cars are Deadlier Than Guns (KPBS)
• MTS Adds Long-Delayed 'Stored Value' to Compass Card (KPBS)
• Beetle That Has Killed Palm Trees in San Diego County Could Spread (KPBS)
• San Diego’s Suzie’s Farm announces closure (SanDiegoVille)

STATE

• Nuclear Expert Slams Edison's San Onofre Nuclear Waste Storage Plan (KPBS)
• Californians contemplate ‘unthinkable choices’ if GOP healthcare becomes law  (KQED)
• Proposed state law would shrink control cities have over cell tower installations (SDUT)
• California's electricity price skyrocketed with the heatwave. Should power officials have called the alert? (SDUT)
• Why California gun owners may be breaking the law on July 1 (Sacramento Bee)
  
  Huge milestone for Delta tunnels: Feds say they won’t push fish over the brink (Sacramento Bee)
• California Attorney General’s office faces scrutiny over San Onofre inquiry (KPBS)
• Weed killer ingredient going on list as cancerous (AP)
• State: 111 Terminally Ill End Lives Under New California Law (KPBS)

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

June 28, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Three more GOP Senators announce opposition to healthcare bill (The Hill)
• New study links recreational marijuana to increase in car crashes (CS Monitor)
• Cardiologist: Breast implants skew heart attack test (BBC)
• Ebola virus burial teams may have 'saved thousands of lives' (BBC)
• Skin patches may be the future of flu vaccines, study suggests (CNN)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• Google faces years of EU oversight on top of record antitrust fine (Reuters)
• Princeton-Trained Computer Scientists Are Building a New Internet That Brings Privacy and Property Rights to Cyberspace  (Reason)
• Facial Recognition May Boost Airport Security but Raises Privacy Worries (NPR)
• Jellied sea creatures confound scientists, fishermen on U.S. Pacific Coast (Reuters)
• Many firms hit by global cyber-attacks (BBC)
• Mark Zuckerberg explains why he just changed Facebook’s mission (CNN)
• Moth Eyes Inspire Glare-Resistant Coating for Cellphone Screens (NPR)
• Our Sun Probably Grew Up with a Sibling (Smithsonian)

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

East County News Service

June 28, 2017 (Washington D.C.) — President Donald Trump has signed into law the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017. The bipartisan legislation aims to increase accountability at the VA by allowing the Secretary to dismiss poorly-performing employees and those who engage in misconduct while strengthening protections for whistleblowers who expose wrongdoing.

East County News Service

June 27, 2017 (La Mesa) – The newest Chick-fil-A restaurant in San Diego County has opened. The Grossmont Chick-fil-A at 8200 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, recently became the 11th Chick-fil-A restaurant operating in San Diego County.

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

Photo via PhotoSpin

June 27, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - Knowing your HIV status is essential to keep the virus from spreading.

To that end, the County Health and Human Services Agency and its many partners are offering free, confidential HIV testing throughout the region. The service is part of National HIV Testing Week in San Diego County, which lasts through June 30.

By Miriam Raftery

June 27, 2017 (Mt. Helix) – The 10^th annual HeART of Mt. Helix on August 12^th from 5 to 10 p.m. will feature live art demonstrations and art auctions, music on two stages, a juried art show, succulent plant sale, and tastings from top local restaurants atop Mt. Helix.

East County News Service

June 27, 2017 (Ramona) – Lane closures on State Route 67 at the Highland Valley Road/Dye Road intersection are slated from 7 p.m .to  5 a.m. tonight as well as Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights.   At least one lane will remain open, but motorists are advised to expect traffic delays, Cal Trans has announced.

The closure is due to paving and road striping work.  Highway workers will be directing traffic in the affected area.