East County News Service

November 5, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County features a fall festival in Casa de Oro, a Cultural Arts Expo in El Cajon a Multicultural Diversity Event in Lemon Grove.

Plus, we have a preview of coming events including concerts at the Magnolia Center, 

the Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon, Pianorama in La Mesa, a Thanksgiving Feast at Pine Hills Lodge in Julian, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, a Julian Country Christmas, Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas on Maine, a Christmas celebration on Mt. Helix, Ramona’s Christmas Tree lighting, Santa at Santee Lakes, and La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village. 

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

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 5, 2019 (Lakeside) - Conquer what is arguably the toughest trail in the county this Veterans Day weekend. Trek up El Cajon Mountain in El Capitan County Preserve during the Warrior Hike Challenge on Saturday, Nov. 9.

By Miriam Raftery

November 4, 2019 (El Cajon) – Ray Lutz announced today that he will not run for the 53^rd Congressional district seat being vacated by the retirement of Susan Davis, after earlier forming an exploratory committee for the race. Lutz, an engineer and founder of the Citizens Oversight watchdog group based in El Cajon, previously challenged Duncan Hunter in the 52^nd Congressional district before redistricting shifted his residence into the 53^rd.

Lutz has long been an activist on election integrity issues, including training the public to provide oversight of election audits. Now Lutz says he intends to focus on developing an auditing service to be available by the 2020 elections. It will allow election officials, candidates, and oversight groups to conduct a thorough and independent review of any election that uses paper ballots and equipment that creates ballot images.

By Julie Cart | CALmatters

CALmatters is an independent public interest journalism venture covering California state politics and government.

Photo:  This small energy system, or microgrid, powers the Southern California desert town of Borrego Springs. Photo courtesy of San Diego Gas & Electric

November 4, 2019 (San Diego) - More than 1 million Californians were left in the dark for days recently as their big utility companies shut off power for fear of sparking wildfires. Frustrated by those outages, some homeowners say they’d like to turn their backs on the companies in favor of smaller providers who might do a better job of keeping the lights on. The mayors of San Francisco and San Jose say they want to sever ties with Pacific Gas and Electric, which serves much of Northern California, and create separate utilities for their cities.

By Maryanne Jackson, Real estate broker, CNE, CPRES.

November 3, 2019 (San Diego's East County)

Dear Maryanne,

My mother is selling her home soon. Are there any important steps she should know about when people come to look at her property?

Is it acceptable for her and her cats to be there?

Lorie B., Spring Valley

Source: Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation

November 3, 2019 (San Diego) -- The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation (MTRP) presents a fine art exhibition featuring award winning artists Kenda Francis, Laura Lehman, Ellen Parry, and Julianne Ricksecker.

East County News Service

November 3, 2019 (El Cajon) – An elderly woman was found unconscious with no pulse near the back door of a burned apartment in the 1500 block of Gustavo Street in El Cajon, just east of Jamaha Rd. She was pronounced dead a short time later at a hospital, Times of San Diego reports.

By Miriam Raftery

October 31, 2019 (San Diego) – East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery and contributing editor Paul Kruze once again won awards in the San Diego Press Club 46^th annual Excellence in Journalism Awards.  The awards honored coverage of the West Fire in Alpine as well as investigations into legal and ethical scandals embroiling El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho, who later resigned.

ECM has received a total of 116 journalism awards since our lanch in 2008, 11 years ago -- an average of 10 per year

East County News Service

October 31 2019 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will present “Celebrate East County,” a community celebration event, from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Holy Trinity Church Social Hall, 405 Ballard St., El Cajon.

East County News Service

October 30, 2019 (Houston) - Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Srtasburg has been named the World Series MVP after the Nats defeated the Houston Astros in game seven of the World Series tonight.

Source: County News Service

October 30, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- The San Diego County Office of Education reports that because San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has activated a public safety power shutoff in certain parts of the county, schools in the following school districts will be closed on Halloween this Thursday, October 31: 

• Dehesa School District
• Julian Union High School District
• Julian Union School District
• Mountain Empire Unified School District
• Rancho Santa Fe School District
• Spencer Valley School District
• Vallecitos School District 
• Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District
  

By Miriam Raftery

October27, 2019 (Casa de Oro) – The nonprofit Casa de Oro Alliance invites you to its fourth annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.   The event will be held at the Spring Valley Academy, 3900 Conrad Drive in Spring Valley. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Easy Fire threatens Reagan Library in Simi Valley; screenshot ABC 7

October 30, 2019 (San Diego) – Much of Southern California is in flames, with several new fires erupting today that have shut down major freeways.  Hurricane-force winds have also toppled over big rigs and trees.  Here are brief updates on existing and new fires:

• Easy Fire in Simi Valley and Moorpark:  The fire that began early this morning in Ventura County has scorched over 1,300 acres, threatening 7,000 homes and the Reagan Library. Thousands are ordered to evacuate and the 23 freeway is shut down:   https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2019/10/30/brush-fire-erupts-in-simi-valley/
• Getty Fire in Los Angeles:  The blaze has burned 745 acres and is 27% contained. The fire has destroyed a dozen homes.  A  tree branch that blew onto a power line caused the Getty Fire.  The 405 freeway is now open but offramps are closed from 101 to Sunset Blvd. Evacuation orders remain in place.  https://www.lafd.org/news/getty-fire
• Hill Fire in Riverside County:  Started this morning, the Hill Fire has burned 100 acres in the Jurupa Valley area and is 0% contained; evacuations are underway. Highway 60 was closed but is now reopened.  https://ktla.com/2019/10/30/hill-fire-in-jurupa-valley-prompts-mandatory-evacuations-closure-of-60-freeway/
• I-15 blocked by overturned big rigs in San Bernadino County:  At Cajon Pass, hurricane-force winds toppled several big rigs.  https://ktla.com/2019/10/30/powerful-winds-knock-over-at-least-4-big-rigs-on-15-freeway-in-san-bernardino-county/
• Mureau Fire in Calabasas:  A fire in Calabasas briefly shut down highway 101, which has since reopened after firefighters halted forward spread of the blaze that scorched 10 acres. https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/New-Brush-Fire-in-Calabasas-Threatens-Structures-564111401.html
  

October 30, 2019 (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 a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Key House panel sends impeachment resolution to the floor ahead of Thursday’s vote (CNN)
• Why the Economy Might Not Sway 2020 Voters (New York Times)
• John Conyers Jr., long-serving congressman who co-founded Congressional Black Caucus, dies at 90 (Washington Post)
• Vindman offers a firsthand account of critical episodes in alleged quid pro quo (San Francisco Chronicle)
• U.S. releases Baghdadi raid video, warns of likely retribution attack (Reuters)

WORLD

• Britain spins toward Christmas election in bid to break Brexit deadlock (Reuters) 
• Quebec to put immigrants seeking residency through 'values' test (Reuters)
• Turkey 'Condemns' U.S. House Vote on Syria Sanctions (Times)

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