By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2019 (San Diego) -- On August 30th, the County of San Diego issued a news release titled “CAL FIRE Prepares To Add New Aerial Attack Plane”.  It incorrectly stated, “CAL FIRE plans in the near future to purchase a retardant-dropping C-130 air tanker and the agency’s pilots got a chance to train in the region this month.” 

A video did show a pilot training in Ramona, as ECM reported. Cal Fire Captain and Public Information officer Issac Sanchez, in the video, indicated that Cal Fire hoped to have a C-130 permanently stationed in the region within the next couple of years.

However, yesterday ECM received an e-mail from Thomas Dominguez, who says he is a former firefighter. He disputed the County’s statements and indicated that the aircraft in question is to be given, not sold, to Cal Fire by the federal government. He also stated that the aircraft is not currently equipped with a fire retardant system. 

CalFire has confirmed that these are truthful statements, and that this process will likely take a couple of years, though will ultimately make our region safer.

Listen to our interview: click here.

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2019 (San Diego) -- Cory Briggs has a two decades-long record as an attorney challenging insider power brokers who’ve dominated city hall for decades. He’s been described by Times of San Diego as the “bane of downtown developers” and has filed numerous lawsuits successfully championing taxpayers, voters’ rights, the environment and government transparency. He’s also taught law--including professional ethics.

Now he’s running for San Diego City Attorney against incumbent Mara Elliott, promising to be a taxpayers’ advocate if elected.  In our interview originally aired on KNSJ radio, he criticizes Elliott for trying to gut California’s Public Records Act, backing “frivolous” suits thrown out of court, and mishandling allegations of child abuse at the San Diego Junior Theatre, among other issues.  Click the audio link to hear the full interview, and scroll down for highlights.

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) – A sell-out crowd turned out for our inaugural Movers, Shakers and Newsmakers event held at the Heritage of the Americas Museum on August 29th, enjoying a summer’s eve reception on the patio followed by a newsworthy array of speakers.

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2019 (Julian) – SDG&E has announced a planned power outage today from 12 noon to 4 p.m. to protect safety of workers repairing power poles.  An estimated 1,600 customers will be affected.

If you are enrolled in SDG&E’s Medical Baseline program and have devices that depend on electricity, the Planned Outage Coordinator to confirm you have received the outage notification and to make any necessary arrangements during the planned outage. The outage coordinator can be reached weekdays between 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at 858-654-1785.

If you need assistance after hours or over the weekend, please call 1-800-211-7343.

Riders can win prizes including free transit for a year.  Ditch rush-hour traffic, save gas and take a ride!

By Miriam Raftery

September 17, 2019 (San Diego) – Metropolitan Transit Service (MTS) and the North County Transit District (NCTD) are offering offer free rides to the public on all three trolley lines and fixed line busses, as well as the Coaster and Sprinter train service on Wednesday, October 2, which is also California Clean Air Day. 

East County News Service

East County News Service

September 17, 2019 (Santee) – A Santee man is a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit challenging California’s new gun law, Senate Bill 1100 signed into law last year, which bans the sale of long guns such as rifles to people under age 21.That state already had bans on minors purchasing hand guns, the Sacramento Bee reported.

East County News Service

September 16, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County features upcoming shows at the Magnolia Performing Arts Center, the Chaldean American Festival in El Cajon, a Chamber music series at Cuyamaca College, Fall at the Farm and berry picking in Julian, a Russian Ballet production of Swan Lake, and a Johnny Appleseed celebration in Santa Ysabel.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, Kids Care Fest in Lemon Grove, the annual Green Homes Tour, a Fair Trade Gift Fair in La Mesa, Cajon Classic Cruises, and the last summer concerts outdoors in El Cajon.

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

East County News Service

September 16, 2019 (Alpine) – Richard Edwords of Alpine sent in this cute shot of his 4-year-old grandson and affectionate dog.  

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 16, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego County Supervisors voted Wednesday to pay property owners to keep roughly 300 acres of their land in agricultural production instead of possibly selling it into development, as part of a program to preserve agriculture and still support farmers and ranchers.

Review and photos by Gerald Stevenson 

September 15, 2019 (El Cajon) -- What can be said about the incomparable Luann de Lesseps? The sky is the limit, her fans would say. Also known as The Countess, she held the audience in the palm of her hand during the opening week of El Cajon’s newly reborn concert hall, The Magnolia.

Friday the 13th was Luann’s night to entertain. Bringing her cabaret show to El Cajon was a nice gift for our city, and the wider region of San Diego. My only wish was for her to remind the audience where we are:  El Cajon, not San Diego. Come on Luann, give our city some recognition! But, that’s a small thing. Maybe future stars will give us a shout out.

The Magnolia was a sell out on Friday. The audience was frisky and full of life, eventually clapping and chanting, "Luann! Luann! Luann!’ as encouragement, hoping their cries reached her dressing room. With phone cameras in everyone’s hands, the fans had time to take "selfies" and photos of the growing crowd.

By Jonathan Goetz 

Signature drive not on track to meet end of September deadline to make it on the ballot without massive last-minute influx of signature gatherers

September 15, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Firefighters led volunteers who spread out through Lemon Grove yesterday to collect signatures on a ballot measure that would bring Lemon Grove's sales tax on par with La Mesa, raising it by ¾  a cent. The measure, if approved, which would nearly double the amount the City receives as its share of the sales tax.