By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 7, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - Whether you are new to nature or have many miles on your hiking boots, here are 10 terrific trails at San Diego County Parks to try this year.

Admission to the parks is free unless otherwise noted. Additional information and park phone numbers can be found on individual park pages. Just click on their links.

Several of these parks offer camping as well. Book a camping reservation online, or call 877-565-3600 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It can get very hot on the park trails, and many don’t have shade. Always hike with appropriate footwear, dress in layers, wear sunscreen and a hat, and bring plenty of water.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Robert Gehr

Robert Gehr contributed to this report

Update:  The  deceased woman has been identified as Brandi Duhamell. According to El Cajon Police Lieutenant W. Miller, officers arrived to find her fiancee performing CPR on Duhamell, who had shot the fiancee in the leg before committing suicide by shooting herself in the chest.

February 6, 2018 (El Cajon) – A woman is dead and a man hospitalized with a gunshot wound, El Cajon Police Department posted on Twitter this evening.

ECM photographer Robert Gehr, who lives across the street from the Park Royale apartment complex at 193 West Park avenue, said a SWAT team was deployed and reported seeing “at least 12 police units” and 20 or more officers at the scene following the shooting that occurred around 6 p.m. as well as paramedics and a fire truck.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A suspect who reportedly carjacked a vehicle this afternoon in El Cajon was captured in Carlsbad following a high-speed pursuit by Sheriff’s deputies and an ASTREA Sheriff’s helicopter.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

Photo: Screenshot, ECM news partner 10 News

February 6, 2018 (Santee) – Dr. John Longhurst from U.C. Irvine Health and his wife, Cherill, died in a plane crash into a construction yard in Santee this morning.  A dog onboard was also killed; a second dog was injured and remains in guarded condition, ECM news partner 10 News reports.  View video.

SDSU to send four to NFL Combine for second straight year

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 6, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State will send four football players to the NFL Scouting Combine (National Invitational Camp) in Indianapolis from Feb. 27-March 5, the NFL announced today. Fullback Nick Bawden, defensive back Kameron Kelly, running back Rashaad Penny and tight end David Wells each will attend the camp, which will be scouted by top executives, coaching staffs, player personnel departments and medical personnel from all 32 NFL teams.

Services to honor legendary firefighter are set for February 10th   

By Miriam Raftery

February 5, 2018 (San Diego) – William R. “Bill” Clayton led the firefight that saved Julian’s historic downtown during the 2003 Cedar Fire. Just days earlier, the Cal Fire Division Chief led efforts to save nearly 200 people trapped in the Valley View Casino during the Paradise Fire—after coming out of retirement shortly before those devastating firestorms. 

The most honored member of California’s state firefighting agency now known as Cal Fire, the division chief passed away in his sleep on Sunday, February 4^th, of natural causes.

Clayton received the most awards of any firefighter in Cal Fire history, including twice earning the Medal of Valor, the state’s highest award for bravery.

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Story by Liz Alper

Photo via Zimbio

February 5, 2018 (Minneapolis) - While most people groan at the fact that the Patriots made it to the big show again, a lot of us sports fans will remember the Super Bowl matchup in 2004 when the Patriots emerged victorious over the Eagles.  Now, 14 years later, the Eagles were ready for revenge.

By Miriam Raftery

February 3, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Although many candidates have said they plan to run for various offices, it’s not official until they submit paperwork and have candidacies approved by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. To appear on the June ballot, the filing period opens February 12 and ends March 9^th for the following offices:  Congress, U.S. Senate, State Assembly, State Senate, all statewide offices (such as Governor), San Diego Sheriff, Supervisor, District Attorney, County Clerk, County Board of Education, and school boards for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College, San Diego Community College, and San Diego Unified School Districts.

East County News Service

February 3, 2018 (San Diego) -- University of California professor Teddy Cruz, an immigrant from Guatemala, has been awarded a $100,000 Vilcek Foundation prize for designs that make cross-border communities more inclusive and equitable. 

Dept. of Fair Employment & Housing finds no violation of laws; Kalasho retains right to sue over alleged discrimination

By Miriam Raftery

February 3, 2018 (El Cajon) – The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), in a letter sent to El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho on January 22, advised that following an investigation, the agency has closed a complaint filed by Kalasho against the City of El Cajon, Mayor Bill Wells and Councilman Gary Kendrick.

Kalasho, who is of Iraqi descent, claimed he was harassed and discriminated against based on his national origin. “I was denied a work environment free of discrimination and/or retaliation and subjected to differential treatment,” he contended in his complaint.

East County News Service

February 2, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library in La Mesa will host “Fitness and Fun for Life!,” a free program on the County of San Diego’s Feeling Fit Club program and the Sharp Grossmont Mall Walker program, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28. The program is part of the library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free and RSVP is not necessary. Light refreshments will be served. Handouts will be available. The library is located at 9001 Wakarusa St.

By Miriam Raftery

January 25, 2018 (Santee) –  We’re proud to announce that East County Magazine is a finalist in the Santee’s Favorites survey!  You can help by voting for East County Magazine here in the “media and entertainment” category.  You can vote once each day, per IP address, now through February 4.

If you enjoy our local news and events coverage, or appreciate our wildfire and emergency alerts, please vote for us as often as possible and share with friends and family!  Vote here.

By Chris Jennewein, reprinted with permission by Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  David Nisleit at the press conference in the mayor’s office. Photo by Chris Jennewein

February 1, 2018 (San Diego) - A 30-year San Diego Police officer, Asst. Chief David Nisleit, was chosen Thursday as the next police chief of San Diego.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer made the announcement at an 11 a.m. press conference in his office accompanied by numerous community leaders.

High protein diet can help keep you healthy

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

February 1, 2018 (San Diego) -- The flu season is unusually severe this year, and California is one of the hardest-hit states, with more deaths reported weekly, some experts believe new infections may be peaking, flu activity will likely remain into April. 

East County News Service

February 1, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Run East County invites you to take part in the annual St. Patrick’s Day half marathon, 5K race, and Green Mile through downtown El Cajon on Sunday March 4^th.  There’s also a Tribes and Clans CrossFit competition, a Tribes and Clans for Kids event and a beer garden.