Update February 13, 2019: Judge Whitney has issued a final ruling keeping the City of Lemon Grove as a defendant in this case.

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – A witness has disputed a key claim made by Lemon Grove Councilman David Arambula in a civil suit filed by marijuana dispensary applicant Christopher Williams against Arambula and Lemon Grove.  Williams alleges that he Arambula cut his face with a beer bottle, bit, choked and punched him after a meeting at Arambula’s home regarding the dispensary application.

By Miriam Raftery

February 10, 2019 (Sacramento) – How much money are candidates in your city or county getting in campaign contributions—and from whom?  A new bill could soon require local governments to post this information online, instead of requiring members of the public to travel to a governmental office and look up hard copies—an option often not available to people who work full-time.  

Source: Cuyamaca College

February 10, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) -- A wide assortment of musicians ranging from a San Diego mariachi band that has played at the Super Bowl to one of the most in-demand French hornists in the country will be performing in this year’s Spring Concert Series at Cuyamaca College beginning Feb. 28.

All performances, except the Coyote Music Festival, will be held at the Samuel M. Ciccati Theatre in the Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center. The annual Coyote Music Festival will be held at Cuyamaca College’s Grand Lawn.

On tap for the Spring Concert Series:

By Miriam Raftery

February 8, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Light rain is possible late tonight through the weekend and Monday. While Tuesday should be clear, another “atmospheric river” will arrive Wednesday through Friday, bringing heavy rains, says National Weather Service forecaster James Brotherton.  Moderate to major flooding could occur Wednesday and Thursday, with minor flooding earlier in the week in some areas.

Several inches of snow are possible above 3,500 feet.

By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) – Roberto Inchaurregui III, 27, of Spring Valley was arrested Feb. 7 for a stabbing that occurred Feb. 2 at the Arco AM/PM Mini Mart in Spring Valley.

Sheriff’s detectives from Rancho San Diego and the Crime Suppression Team arrested Inchaurregui at his parole agent’s office, then served a search warrant on the suspect’s home, where they recovered other items further linking Inchaurregui to the crime, says Sgt. Matt Cook II.

He was booked into the San Diego County Jail.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by James Kecskes

February 8, 2019 (San Diego) - It’s February – the time of year when our attention turns to matters of the heart. What better time to get your blood pressure checked?

On Thursday, Feb. 14, people can get their blood pressure checked for free at any of nearly 300 locations across the U.S. and Mexico for Love Your Heart Day. Many faith-based organizations are getting in on the action by hosting blood pressure checks this weekend on Feb. 9 and 10.

Published since 2008. Copyright 2019 by Sam Warren, SDWriteWay@gmail.com

"Words are things; and a small drop of ink falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think." --Lord Byron (1788-1824)

SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

East County News Service

February 7, 2019 (La Mesa) – The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, is now presenting its Winter Art Exhibit featuring 15 paintings by 10-year-old Mia Bruso of  Alpine. The exhibit runs through the end of March. Kathy Quinn, Herrick Library director, said it is the first time since the library opened in 2002 that the featured artist for the quarterly art exhibit is a child.

East County News Service

February 7, 2019 (El Cajon) – The California housing market will continue soft in 2019 as prices remain flat and sales pull back because buyers are expected to remain on the sidelines throughout the year, according to California Association of Realtors (CAR) senior economist Oscar Wei.

Shawcroft one of eight players added to finish Aztecs’ 22-member class

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

February 7, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego State head football coach Rocky Long announced the signing Wednesday of eight additional players to National Letters of Intent or Offers of Aid. Including the 14 that signed in the early signing period in December a total of 22 athletes will join the Aztecs for the 2019 season. 

SDSU’s signing class now includes 11 on defense, nine on offense and two athletes. The 22-member class also features 14 from the state of California, three from Texas, two from Arizona, one apiece from Georgia, Hawaii and Washington. Additionally, 18 are high schools and four are college transfers. 

The eight new additions to the class today include two on offense - quarterback Jordon Brookshire (Santa Rosa, Calif./Cardinal Newman HS/Laney CC) and offensive lineman Jacob Jimenez (Pflugerville, Texas/Pflugerville HS/Brigham Young) - five on defense - defensive linemen Jeffrey Blake (Norcross, Ga./Greater Atlanta Christian HS), Liloa Kapiko (Honolulu, Hawaii/St. Louis HS) and Jonah Tavai (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa HS/El Camino College), and defensive backs Patrick McMorris (Santa Ana, Calif./Santa Ana HS) and Eric Wilson (Oceanside, Calif./El Camino HS/Riverside City College), and one athlete in Noah Tumblin (San Diego/Mira Mesa HS).

A full list of the signees is below.

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2019 (Pine Valley) – Robert Verlin Bruno Jr., 48, of Jacumba Hot Springs ,stopped to help when he saw a Ford F-150 pickup truck with a baby as a passenger. The truck had struck a guardrail on Pine Valley Bridge on Interstate 8 before dawn yesterday around 5 a.m.

But then a truck swerved to avoid the crash and collided with a Kia. The two vehicles came careening toward him on the icy freeway. Bruno jumped over a guardrail to avoid being struck, not realizing in the darkness that the spot dropped off into a 300 to 400 foot deep ravine.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ABC news screenshot

February 6, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – Despite more than 90 complaints of BMW luxury vehicles bursting into flames while parked with engines turned off, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is not actively investigating the causes.

ABC News first reported the problem back in May of 2017 and called for a federal investigation. Since then, more than 30 new BMW fires have occurred—and still the federal government has failed to take action to protect consumers, Jason Levine, executive director at the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, told ABC this month.

The BMW company has recalled over a million vehicles since that 2017 report ran. But ABC found fires have occurred recently among models not on the recall list.

February 6, 2019 (Mount Helix) -- Freelanc Photographer and videographer Martin Hoffman snapped these beautiful images of a double rainbow from the backyard of his Mount Helix home, looking southeast.

By Miriam Raftery

February 6, 2019 (Santee) -- During his State of the Union address, President Donald Trump spoke on issues ranging from the economy to immigration, also honoring the upcoming 75^th anniversary of D-Day.  Joseph Reilly of Santee, a D-Day paratrooper, was among three World War II veterans whom Trump praised as “incredible heroes.”

Trump took credit for an improving economy and urged “unity” to avoid a future shutdown. He called for an end to “foolish wars” and what he called “partisan investigations” of his administration amid the special prosecutor’s investigation. 

Despite calls for unity, his speech repeatedly argued for funding for a border wall. He cited San Diego, calling for a ““smart, strategic, see-through steel barrier — not just a simple concrete wall.” The president has threatened to invoke a national emergency to build the border wall in order to keep out migrant caravans of immigrants seeking asylum.

By Melinda Myers

Photo:  Anthuriums, courtesy of Melinda Myers LLC

February 5, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- Consider giving your valentine something different this year. Select an indoor plant with heart shaped leaves or flowers.

Anthuriums are an easy-to-grow, low maintenance, long-blooming indoor plant. The red, pink or white heart shaped flowers rise above glossy green leaves.