By Priscilla Schreiber, Trustee, Grossmont Union High School District

November 3, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- After reviewing statements made in the San Diego County Taxpayers Association's (SDCTA) campaign literature, "Yes on BB", I thought it would be helpful to the voters if I shared my perspective, as the Board member who did not vote to put this bond measure on the ballot.

My comments (not in bold) follow their statements (in boldface):

Update with comments from the Lincoln Club President and links to prior concerns raised about the PAC by the FPPC.

By Miriam Raftery

November 3, 2016 (La Mesa) — A hit piece mailer on La Mesa City Council Colin Parent has been sent by a shadowy political action group tied to his opponent.

The mailer deceptively states Parent moved to La Mesa only to run for Council and mentions he’s lived in Sacramento and San Diego.  It fails to mention his long and deep ties to East County.  Parent went to Fuerte Elementary School near Mt. Helix, had his first job on La Mesa Blvd. with the East County Development Council, grew up going to local La Mesa hang-outs such as the Aquarius roller rink, was active in Boy Scots and graduated from Valhalla High School in the Grossmont Union High School District before attending UC San Diego and later, getting a law degree in New York.

By Liz Alper

Photo: David "Grandpa Rossy" Ross gets a hug from teammates as he retires a champion.   Cover photo:  Cubs fans celebrate the win outside Wrigley Field in Chicago. Both photos courtesy @Cubs on Twitter

November 3, 2016 (Cleveland) - Well, actually, that's not entirely true.  The goat was apparently at Progressive Field in Cleveland throughout the entire game.

But tonight, he had no effect.  The Cubs fought their way through the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.

But none of that mattered anymore.  It all came down to fighting through the team who led the AL Central for most of the season, the Cleveland Indians.  The Indians fought through the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.  Both teams had been through probably a bloodier battle than every battle in the Civil War combined in their leagues.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 2, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Give thanks all month through several fall and Thanksgiving-themed happenings at San Diego County Parks. Take a pilgrimage to one or all three of the community gatherings in the East County.

The trio of events is free and open to all ages. There is a $3 parking fee at Louis A. Stelzer and El Monte parks.

By Miriam Raftery

November 2, 2016 (San Diego)—Countywide, 324,415 voters have already cast ballots through early voting or mail-in ballots received at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters office,  as of 5 p.m. yesterday.  So far, 36.73% are from Republicans,  who are voting at 5.27% above their registration percentage. 

The highest number of ballots were cast by Democrats, 39.85%, but they are voting at only 2.91% above the party’s registration rate.  Independents account for 23.42% of votes, which is 8.18% below registration.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  McCain Valley, site of the Tule Wind project slated to break ground soon

November 2, 2016 (Boulevard) – The State Lands Commission has approved a second phase of the controversial Tule Wind Project in McCain Valley.  Tule II will allow up to 24 wind turbines to be built after completion of Tule I, which will have 52 turbines, each hundreds of feet high.  Phase I is slated to break ground soon, with expected completion in September 2017.

East County News Service

November 1, 2016 (Alpine) - Local teens are determined to help their best friend as she fights bone cancer by organizing a major fundraising event.

Samantha Bodger, 16 years old, who lives in Alpine and is a top student at Granite Hills High School, was diagnosed with High Grade Osteosarcoma in August 2016.  She requires 10 months of intensive chemotherapy and a major surgery to amputate her leg mid-November.

East County News Service

Jonathan Goetz and Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

November 1, 2016 (San Diego) – San Diego Superior Court Judge Janis Sammartino heard evidence October 26 in a case filed by the National Association of Colored Persons (NAAC) and seven protesters against the city of El Cajon, the Sheriff’s Department, and El Cajon Police.

East County News Service

November 1, 2016 (La Mesa) - Kidz Danz Kompany presents “1968” at the San Diego Performing Arts Center (4579 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego, CA, 92120) on November 11^th-12^th, 2016 at 7pm.

Featuring the diverse and multi-cultural Kidz Danz Kompany, this concert reflects on the year 1968 and how it in many ways parallels 2016. Presented will be new works titled “Mama Said”, an homage to the dedication of single motherhood and its struggles, and “KDK/1968/2016”, the definitive work of the evening. Both works are choreographed by Artistic Director Spencer John Powell. These works incorporate music from 1968 and 2016 with some song selections from years in between that complement each work. With costuming by Debbie Sloan of Fusionglass Company, her unique and Avant-garde designs provide a modern visual to the works.

For more sports stories, visit ECM's sports section

Story and photos by Liz Alper

Full quotes courtesy Jen Heisel

November 1, 2016 (San Diego) - With San Diego State men's basketball's first game on Thursday against UC San Diego, basketball head coach Steve Fisher joined football head coach Rocky Long, redshirt sophomore quarterback Christian Chapman and defensive end Dakota Turner for their weekly press conference.

East County News Service

November 1, 2016 (Cuyamaca) — Craig Maxwell snapped these dramatic images of spectacular skies and fall foliage in Cuyamaca, a gem in our backcountry region.

East County News Service

November 1, 2016 (La Mesa) - La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation is excited to host its first Cornhole Tournament & Family Festival Saturday, Nov. 5 from 11 am to 5 pm. at La Mesita Park. The tournament, “Let’s Play!” features a cornhole tournament with two divisions offering cash prizes, craft booths, astro jump, delicious BBQ, beer garden, kids activities and more. Sign up at www.lamesaparks.org

Source: City of La Mesa

November 1, 2016 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa will host a Babysitter Training Class on Saturday,  November 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at La Mesa Community Services, 4975  Memorial Drive,  La Mesa. The fun, hands-on class for ages 11-16 helps babysitters become better prepared.  Participants practice infant skills on dolls, learn and practice CPR for infants and children. Topics include babysitter responsibilities, sitter safety,  diapering procedures, recognizing an emergency,  infant and child CPR, and basic first aid.

East County News Service

November 1, 2016 (Ocotillo Wells) -- Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents rescued a man who was lost in the Ocotillo Wells Desert early Monday morning.

On Sunday, around 6:30 p.m., a ranger with California Department of Parks and Recreation contacted Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint and asked for help to locate a missing man last seen in the Ocotillo Wells Desert. He was reported missing by his family after he failed to return from an ATV ride in the desert.