East County News Service

August 30, 2016 (Santee) - Stockzilla comes to Santee Lakes on October 1st and 2nd.  All seven lakes will be stocked with 3,500 pounds of catfish.

By Chris Jennewein

Reprinted from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Congressional candidate Doug Applegate greets a supporter. Campaign photo

August 30, 2016 (San Diego) -- A new poll released Monday by the Doug Applegate campaign shows him to be in a statistical dead heat with eight-term Republican Rep. Darrell Issa in the 49th Congressional District.

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – If you see a bird that looks suspiciously like a flying Fruit Loops mascot, you’re probably not imagining it.  Residents from Alpine to Jamul are reporting sightings of a tropical toucan – and the Alpine Community Network website even posted a photo with the observation, “OMG ITS REALLY A TOUCAN!”

San Diego State plays its second of four consecutive road matches at San Diego on Fri., Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

August 29, 2016 (Long Beach) - San Diego State women’s soccer was unable to overcome a three-goal deficit in the first half and fell to No. 23 Long Beach State, 3-0, on Monday night.

East County News Service

August 29, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting-edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• More and more women are now dying in childbirth, but only in America (Vox)
• FDA: All blood donations should be tested for Zika (The Hill)
• San Diego scientists find Zika may infect adult brains, too (KPBS)
• Zika remains in sperm for record six months (BBC)
• Aetna Joins Other Major Insurers in Pulling Back From Obamacare (NPR)
• People Are Happier Later in Life, Study Finds (KPBS)
• Here's what you need to know about the CEO behind the big EpiPen price hikes (CNBC)

SCIENCE

• Monsanto just made a massive mistake (Mother Jones)
• NASA just found a spacecraft that’s been missing for two years (Washington Post)

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

By Kim Cooney

August 29, 2016 (San Diego) - On August 10, 2016, Congressman Scott Peters (D-San Diego), along with city and county officials, met to discuss the issue of homelessness in San Diego.  The key question is how funding by the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD) can be updated so that San Diego gets its fair share of money each year.  A recent Voice of San Diego report found that despite having the nation’s third largest homeless population, San Diego gets less than many other cities with fewer homeless people.

By Toni Tantlinger

Photos courtesy Christy Rossiter

August 29, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Politicians call them heroes and strangers thank them for their service.

East County News Service

August 28, 2016 (Mt Laguna) -- Lore of the Laguna’s (Living History Pageant) returns as the Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association presents its 29th Annual LIVING HISTORY after a two-year hiatus. The past comes alive in this re-enactment of life in the Laguna Mountains, starting in the early 1900s and going back in time. Visit with Native Americans, rugged cowboys and turn-of-the-(last) century mountain men. Meet the first Laguna Forest Ranger, and relive the summer encampment of a 1908 pioneer family from Imperial Valley. How did they survive back then without any modern devices or conveniences and most of all, cell phones or social media? It was a slower pace, but lives were just as eventful and full of adventure as they are now.

By Miriam Raftery

August 28, 2016 (Anza-Borrego Desert) – A reader of East County Magazine has come forward to say that he saw Mickey James Guidry , then 16, at the site where the Jeep driven by the teen broke down in the Anza-Borrego Desert over Thanksgiving weekend back in November 2009—just before Mickey went missing  The witness says he saw Mickey speaking with a couple who offered him a ride, and showed him a map with possible routes Mickey may have later taken on foot.   

The Jeep Mickey was driving was found 22-miles along Fish Creek Wash, its tire worn down to the rim and bumper torn off. Mickey’s wallet and ID were left in the Jeep. His cell phone was not working.  To this day, nobody knows if he managed to walk out or get a ride and go away voluntarily.

Sauers scores first goal as an Aztec for match’s lone tally

Source: goaztecs.com press release

August 28, 2016 (Spokane) - Senior forward Michael Sauers scored a goal in the 11^th minute on Sunday to lead the San Diego State men’s soccer team to a 1-0 triumph over Bradley in the Gonzaga Soccer Tournament at Luger Field.  With the win, the Aztecs move to 1-0-1 on the year, while the Braves slip to 0-1-1 overall.

Volleyball falls to Michigan State and Denver

Source: goaztecs.com press release

Photo: Emma Fuzie was named to the all-tournament team at this weekend's Aztec Invitational.  Courtesy goaztecs.com

August 28, 2016 (San Diego) - San Diego State dropped close matches to Michigan State and Denver on Saturday as it concluded play at the season-opening 2016 Aztec Invitational. In the morning, the Aztecs fell to the Spartans in four sets (22-25, 20-25, 26-24, 21-25) and later that evening extended Denver to five sets (17-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 8-15) before coming up on the short end of a tight contest.

East County News Service

August 27, 2016 (Alpine) - The Alpine Woman’s Club will hold its Eleventh Annual “Christmas in Alpine” Home Tour on Saturday, December 10th from 10am to 3pm. You will have an opportunity to stroll through five stunning country estates, and visit Kathy and Mario’s quaint and spectacular place they call Alpine Country Garden and Gifts Shop. The Historic Town Hall will be open from 1pm till 4pm, where you can view Dickens Christmas Village on the Town Hall stage. Ticket holders can also enjoy light refreshments and a surprise gift to say thank you for your support.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Lucas Riley, 24, victim in the crash

August 27, 2016 (Ramona) – Roy Dunkin, 51, is accused of driving drunk and causing a fiery, head-on collision on Highway 67 that killed Point Loma Nazarene College student Lucas Makana Riley, 24, of San Diego. Dunkin’s pickup truck also hit a Buick sedan, causing minor injuries to its occupants.  Dunkin has pled not guilty to the charges and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

August 26, 2016 (Miami) - After being swept by the Cubs at home, the Padres traveled to the beaches of Miami to take on the Marlins.  Jarred Cosart started for the Padres against David Phelps for the Marlins.

East County News Service

August 26, 2016 (San Diego) - Media Arts Center San Diego celebrates the 3rd annual Exitos Del Cine Latino film festival, a summer celebration of Latino film, music, and celebrities, starting tonight at Westfield Plaza Bonita.

The festivities also include an opening night fiesta. This weekend's movies include (Click on film titles below to read synopses & purchase tickets on-line):