By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2018 (Sacramento)—California ratepayers could be forced to pay for costs of the 2017 wildfires and some future firestorms caused by utilities’ equipment, if Senate Bill 901 currently on the Governor’s desk is signed into law. Consumers who wish to weigh in can call Governor Jerry Brown’s office at (916) 558-2840 or fax (916) 558-3160.

The language is in an omnibus bill that addresses many wildfire-related issues including wildfire prevention, response and recovery as well as funding for mutual aid, fuel reduction and forestry policies, wildfire mitigation plans by utilities and cost recovery by electricity utility corporations for wildfire-related damages.

All of East County’s legislators voted for the bill including Republicans Randy Voepel and Joel Anderson as well as Democrats Ben Hueso and Shirley Weber.

By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A new TV ad takes aim at Republican Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, who has been indicted on criminal corruption charges along with his wife. View it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSPbbLKlQug&feature=youtu.be

“Every citizen has a responsibility to read this indictment. Forty-seven pages of  corruption and greed. Duncan Hunter Jr. stealing campaign funds for lavish vacations and gifts, defrauding wounded warriors, insulting our military,” states the ad funded by Hunter’s opponent, Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar.  

Photos:  East County Chamber President Eric Lutz and three fresh faces running for local offices:  Laura Koval for Santee City Council, Teresa Rosiak-Profitt for both Lemon Grove Council and Grossmont-Cuyamaca school board, and Jeff Griffith for State Senate.

By Miriam Raftery

September 1, 2018 (El Cajon)—Some 20 candidates and public officials flocked to “Politics in Paradise” hosted by several local chambers of commerce Thursday night at the Water Conservation Garden.

This year, the format did not include a panel discussion or questions, but rather guests had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with candidates. Each candidate also had 30 seconds to introduce themselves, with moderator Barry Jantz indicating any who ran over would get the “hook.”  Most gave just the basics – name, what they’re running for and how to find them – though a few managed to get some zingers in.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

August 31, 2018 (Spring Valley) - Chugging along, week three of ECM Friday Night Lights takes us to Spring Valley for the first time in 2018, where the Monte Vista Monarchs, led by their explosive senior running back and SDSU commit Jahmon McClendon, took on the Patriots of Patrick Henry, who are coming off an embarrassing 43-0 loss to Morse last week.  McClendon scored five rushing touchdowns in the Monarchs’ 48-21 win over University City last week.  You might recall this matchup from last year, when ECM Sports reported on McClendon’s five rushing touchdowns that beat Patrick Henry 34-27.  This year, however, McClendon wouldn’t let the Pats even touch the Monarchs.

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

August 31, 2018 (San Diego's East County) --Long-time East County politician Joel Anderson (R-Alpine), likely didn’t intend to end his tenure in the California State Senate with accusations that he recently made a threat to strike a female lobbyist at the Diplomat Steakhouse Restaurant, across the street from the state Capitol in Sacramento.

Anderson, who is running for State Board of Equalization now that he is termed-out in the Senate, denies making a threat and says his words were misunderstood in a noisy restaurant.

Lobbyist Stephanie Roberson with the California Nurses Association has filed a complaint with the Senate Rule Committee. Another lobbyist who witnessed the incident said that Anderson approached Roberson to complain that the group didn’t endorse him. He allegedly made harassing comments about Roberson’s appearance and then said, “You better shut up before I bitch slap you.”

East County News Service

August 31, 2018 (Lakeside) – Lake Jennings in Lakeside is hosting Spooky Camp-o-Ween events the two weekends before Halloween, Oct. 19-21 and Oct. 26-28, complete with ghost stories, s’mores, a campsite decorating contest, trick or treating and creepy crafts.

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Sign up to receive free emergency information from AlertSanDiego as part of a preparedness promotion with Lyft and you may get a $10 discount on a ride.  Image via Pixabay

August 31, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego County is vulnerable to many types of emergencies: fires, floods, and earthquakes just to name a few. These disasters can strike at any time, and we should all be prepared to keep ourselves, and our loved ones, safe. But a 2017 survey conducted by the County found only half of San Diego County residents are prepared to evacuate their homes within 15 minutes. Only 38 percent have an emergency plan.

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2018 (El Cajon) – Approximately 20 elected officials and candidates running for local offices are slated to participate in tonight’s Poiltics in Paradise event.  Sponsored by five local Chambers of Commerce, the event will be held at the Water Conservation Garden from 5:30 to 8 p.m.  Attendees will have the opportunity to meet candidates and ask questions at their candidate booths.

Source: Cal Fire

August 30, 2018 (Lakeside) -- On Monday, San Diego Unit CAL FIRE law enforcement officers arrested Daniel Reyes Ortega, 21, a transient in Lakeside. Ortega was booked on charges of willfully and maliciously setting fire to forest land. The arrest and was made with cooperation of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

East County News Service

August 29, 2018 (El Cajon) – Alley Cat Art Walk will take place on Friday, September 14^th from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.  It’s the purr-fect place for lovers of arts and music, plus you can enjoy wine tasting, a beer garden, artisan crafts booths, boutique vendors, live music and children’s activities in addition to fine art.

The event’s activities will be held in Arts Alley between Main and Rea streets, as well as surrounding street.  Alley Cat Art Walk is sponsored by St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center and supported by a San Diego County Community Enhancement grant.

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2018 (San Diego) - President Donald Trump is claiming that Google has rigged search results and is “suppressing voices of conservatives,” a claim Google says is false.

The President bashed Google on Twitter, posting, "Google search results for 'Trump News' shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake News Media. In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD. Fake CNN is prominent. Republican/Conservative & Fair Media is shut out," he claimed, without substantiation.

By Ana Nita

View video of the arraignment here:  https://youtu.be/I-youN7TlHU

August 29, 2018 (San Diego) -- After being indicted on 60 counts for wire fraud, campaign finance violation and falsifying records, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) and his wife, Margaret, were summoned last week to appear in front of a federal judge at the Edward J. Schwartz U.S. District Court, San Diego. 

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

August 29, 2018 (El Cajon) -- A fire caused by ignition of hydrogen at a filling station where a hydrogen truck was refueling has prompted evacuation of schools and delays in trolley service in El Cajon.

Heartland Fire advises the public to avoid the 1100 block of W. Bradley (near Cuyamaca) until around 1 p.m. Cuyamaca is closed from Friendship Dr to Vernon Wy & W. Bradley is closed from Cuyamaca to Johnson Ave

Metropolitan Transit Services advises, "Sycuan Green Line trains are turning at Arnele Station & Orange Line trains are turning at El Cajon Transit Center. Expect delays."

East County News Service

August 29, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Barona Powwow, Julian Grape Stomp, and Descanso Deep Pit Barbecue.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including the Sycuan Powwow, Ramona’s Grape Stomp, raspberry picking and farm tours at Julian Farm and Orchard, Hank Williams Jr. at Viejas, Gregory Page and Sky Ladd in concert at Schwaesdall Winery in Ramona, spooky camping at Lake Jennings, and our own East County Dining Club at Fourpenny House in La Mesa.

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

East County News Service

August 28, 2018 (San Carlos) -- A binational celebration commemorating the Jewish holiday of Sukkot at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego’s San Carlos community is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 26, complete with mariachi music, a gourmet Mexican meal and more.