East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (San Diego) -- Law schools that are not accredited by the American Bar Association would be required to post more information about tuition costs, class sizes, number of faculty, bar passage rate and employment outcomes for their students under a bill by Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) and approved this week today by the governor.

Source: Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon

Photo by Leon Thompson

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) – From classic cruises to an El Cajon Walks! Meet-up group, museum exhibits, musicals and more, there’s a lot happening this month and next in El Cajon. Plus, nominations are being sought for the Women in Leadership and Veteran of the Year awards.

No filing fees, ballot statement costs  $315 to $360 in smaller trustee districts

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County ) – For the first time, the Grossmont Union High School District will hold elections in November for individual trustee districts.   There are no filing fees, though modest fees are charged for candidates to publish ballot statements. With smaller districts, the cost for ballot statements is far less than in the past --just $315 in Trustee Area 1 (Lemon Grove/Spring Valley/La Prensa),which is an open seat, and $360 in Trustee Area 2 (La Mesa/Casa de Oro/Mt. Helix and part of Rancho San Diego) currently represented by Jim Stieringer.

The candidate filing period opened July 18 and closes August 12^th.  August 12 is also the deadline for candidates to submit ballot statements, which for the first time will be accepted electronically.

From the Editors of E - The Environmental Magazine

Dear EarthTalk: Why do environmentalists consider Hawaii “ground zero” in the fight against genetically engineered crops? -- Michael Van, Poughkeepsie, NY

July 24, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Most of us think of beaches, surfing and luaus when we think of Hawaii. But the constantly warm and moist climate actually provides some of the most productive land in the world with a never-ending growing season. As a result, Hawaii has become a major player in commercial agriculture, and is frequently used to test new farming techniques.

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County ) – East County Magazine received five awards in the Society of Professional Journalists San Diego Pro Chapter’s 2016 Journalism Awards Contest.  Journalists honored include ECM editor Miriam Raftery, reporters Mike Allen and Janis Russell, and sound editors Ed Barrena and Leon Thompson.

Honors include the special First Amendment Award and a $100 prize for our series on county efforts to suppress free speech and first place in the multicultural category for our story on local Chaldeans’ efforts to obtain release of Iraqi Christians in an Otay immigration detention facility, including both written reporting for our website and audio coverage that ran on our radio show on KNSJ.

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

July 24, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – All of San Diego was up bright and early to watch the Padres take on the Nationals in the series finale.  Christian Friedrich started for San Diego, while the rookie Lucas Giolito took the mound for Washington.

Source:  San Diego County Water Authority News Release

July 24, 2016 (San Diego) - The Emergency & Carryover Storage Project, a multi-decade effort of the San Diego County Water Authority to increase the reliability and resiliency of the region’s water system, won an Award of Merit in the annual Global Best Projects competition held by the industry publication Engineering News-Record. It is the second time in four months that a Water Authority project has earned international honors.

Source: Sheriff's press release

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) - On July 21, 2016 around 2:20 a.m., California Highway Patrol transferred a 911 call reporting a road rage incident that occurred near the intersection of Jamacha Road and Hilton Head Place involving multiple gunshots fired.  Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area and located the victim. Varying witness accounts described the suspect vehicle as either a white SUV and/or a black sedan.    A white SUV matching the description of a vehicle involved was located at an apartment complex nearby.  Four individuals associated with the vehicle were questioned but released pending further investigation.  Several bullet casings were found in the apartment complex parking lot about two blocks away from where the white SUV was located.  There were no injuries reported in this incident and the investigation is continuing.        

Culinary zest meets craft beer in East County brewery

By Gwennie Gardiner

July 24, 2016 (Santee) - A chef-inspired craft brewery and tasting room will emerge into the San Diego craft beer scene in August 2016. Nestled in Santee’s thriving business district, Finest Made Ales is owned by Chef and Brewmaster Rey Knight.

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

July 22, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – After a frustrating loss last night that resulted in a sweep by the Cardinals, the Padres looked to be patriotic and rebound in our nation’s capital against the Washington Nationals.  Luis Perdomo started for the Pads against Tanner Roark for the Nats.

By Liz Alper

July 22, 2016 (Munich) - Six people are dead in a shooting that occurred at a mall in Munich, Germany.

Source:  California Department of Justice news release

July 21, 2016 (San Francisco) - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that California, along with 11 other states and the District of Columbia, has joined the United States Department of Justice in filing a civil antitrust lawsuit to block the proposed $48.3 billion merger of two major insurance companies, Anthem and Cigna.

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

July 21, 2016 (St. Louis) – It has been a very bad series for the Padres in St. Louis.  But tonight they got one more chance to avoid a sweep.  Andrew Cashner—despite swirling rumors that he could’ve been traded before his scheduled start tonight—was on the mound for San Diego against Adam Wainwright for the Cards.

Source: Caltrans news release

July 21, 2016 (San Diego) - Construction crews will close northbound State Route 67 (SR-67) from Winter Gardens Boulevard to Lakeside Avenue and southbound SR-67 from Lakeside Avenue to Mapleview Street Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23 from nine at night until 11 the following morning. Mapleview Street at SR-67 will also be closed intermittently during these hours. Motorists are advised to expect delays and to avoid the area if possible.