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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.

More than $2 million in prizes awarded; over $3 million raised for San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House

East County News Service

May 20, 2018 (San Diego) - Raising more than $3 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego® to support families of hospitalized children, the 14th Annual Dream House Raffle with more than 2,300 prizes awarded, including  grand prize winner Anthony Strom from San Diego, who receives his choice of $1.3 million paid as an annuity over 20 years or $900,000 as a one-time cash payment. 

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

May 19, 2018 (Reno) - Despite a four-run eighth inning, the San Diego State baseball's late-inning comeback attempt fell short against Nevada on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 12-10 decision at Peccole Park.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo CC Flicker/Jeffrey Grandy

May 18, 2018 (Salt Lake City) – Students mobilizing on gun violence issues have captured headlines nationwide. But another student-led effort has yielded tangible results: in Utah, one of the most conservative stations in the U.S., a coalition of students persuaded the Utah Legislature to adopt a resolution declaring climate change real and committing to strive for solutions.

By Miriam Raftery

May 18, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Christopher Williams has filed a lawsuit against Lemon Grove Councilman David Arambula alleging that during a meeting at Arambula’s home on July 15, 2017  to discuss Williams’ applications for marijuana dispensaries, Arambula assaulted and injured Williams. 

The suit also names the city of Lemon Grove, claiming the city knew that Arambula conducted city business outside of city hall and “could be physically violent toward members of the public while he conducted official city business but never took any action to prevent him from acting in such a manner.” 

May 18, 2018 (San Diego's East County)-- Larry Wilske is a retired Navy Seal, running as a Republican challenger to incumbent Randy Voepel in the 71st Assembly district. Voepel, also a Republican, is facing allegations of "stolen valor" or inflating his military record.

Wilske belives integrity is the core issue in his race against Voepel. In our interview aired originally on KNSJ Radio, Wilske talks about the ethics concerns, as well as his stances on issues impacting California statewide such as education, sanctuary state laws, and healthcare.

A resident of Descanso in San Diego's East County, he also shared his views on rural issues including fire preparedness, water, power shut offs and jobs.  Hear our full interview with Larry Wilske by clicking here.

By Miriam Raftery

May 18, 2018 (San Diego) – What should consumers know about saving money and choosing a financial institution?  What’s the difference between credit unions and big banks?  When does a home equity line of credit make sense, and what are new options when shopping and financing a car?

These are among the questions East County Magazine asked Jonathan Zide, vice president of Cabrillo Credit Union, which has branches in La Mesa, San Diego and Carlsbad. The local company has been serving our region since 1955, starting out helping federal Border Patrol agents. Today, it’s open to everyone.

Successful litigation and Rate Stabilization Fund benefit ratepayers

Source: County Water Authority

May 17, 2018 (San Diego) -- Water rate increases proposed by the San Diego County Water Authority staff for 2019 are among the smallest in the past 15 years due to financial benefits secured through litigation against the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Water Authority’s planned use of its Rate Stabilization Fund.

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2018 (San Diego) --The number of homeless people in San Diego County dropped by 6 percent from last year, according to the 2018 Point-in-Time Count.  The number of homeless who are unsheltered fell even further, dropping 11 percent.

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2018 (El Cajon) – A 16-year-old student walking on the trolley tracks near the Roadway Inn in El Cajon was struck and killed by the trolley  around 8 p.m.Tuesday night.

According to a GoFundMe website set up by a teacher to help the family pay for medical expenses, the victim was a sophomore and captain of the basketball team at Chaparral High School.

El Cajon Police and paramedics responded, but the victim, Harley Groleau, was declared dead at the scene.

Update May 18, 2018: Sajjad Hameed Ismael, 20, driver of 2001 Toyota, has been charged with felony hit and run causing death/injury, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, reckless driving, and driving with a suspended license. He was also booked on outstanding warrants.

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

May 17, 2018 (San Diego) -- Four lanes of Interstate 8 West at Waring Road in the College area are expected to remain closed this evening for investigation and clean-up following a fatality crash. The multi-vehicle collision that occurred this afternoon killed a passenger in a Toyota Avalon and has prompted a SIG Alert.

According to the Cailfornia  Highway Patrol, the Avalon driver struck a slow-moving vehicle and veered onto a hill, struck several trees and then rolled back down onto the freeway.

Source: City of El Cajon

May 17, 2018 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon has launched the Stay Cool El Cajon campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving children and pets in hot cars. Last year in the United States, 43 children died as a result of being left in hot vehicles. Since 1984, 804 children have died from heat-related illnesses in cars.