East County News Service

September 27, 2017 (San Diego) -- Congressman Issa (R-Vista) took part in a hearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee yesterday, examining nuclear waste storage policy and solutions that would allow nuclear waste, like that from the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), to be moved out of our communities.

By Miriam Raftery

September 27, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- Spring Valley residents are invited to a public meeting to provide input on future amenities for Ildica Street County Park. Join staff from the Department of Parks and Recreation to provide your ideas for developing this 0.6-acre parcel.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

September 27, 2017 (La Mesa) - It’s been a little cold the last few days, but it’s starting to warm up again and it’s perfect water polo weather as the varsity Santana Sultans boys--who are having an impressive season so far, sporting a 6-2 record (but 0-1 in league) made the trip to Helix to take on the Highlanders, who aren’t doing as hot at 4-7 overall and 0-2 in league play.

By Miriam Raftery

September 27, 2017 (Mt. Helix) – Michael Todd Littlefield, 50, was taken into custody Monday on Weston Road near Grandview in the Mt. Helix area.  “Littlefield had a felony warrant for auto theft,” Ryan Keim, Media Relations Director for the San Diego Sheriff department informed East County Magazine.

September 27, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

•         Buyer’s remorse? Chargers could reportedly move back to San Diego (Times of San Diego)
•        Borrego Springs trying to deal with underground water crisis (San Diego Union-Tribune)
•         Lemon Grove moving on climate action plan (San Diego Union-Tribune)
•         Cox Communications to begin charging heavy Internet users who exceed monthly data caps (San Diego Union-Tribune)
•        Diabetes-Related Amputations Up Significantly in California — and San Diego (KPBS)
•        State seeks more documents from El Cajon councilman's beauty pageant (San Diego Union-Tribune)
•         New FBI Data Places San Diego Among 2016's Safest Cities Nationwide (KPBS)
•          CCAs Have Value Far Beyond Just Price (Voice of San Diego)

STATE

•        A Tale of Two States: California Loses and Texas Wins Under GOP Health Plan (KQED)
•         University of California Blows Big Money on Gold-Plated Pensions (Reason)
•        What a difference three days makes: How voters shook up California’s Legislature (Cal Matters)
•        Solar growth threatened by trade ruling, with Trump to have final say (San Francisco Chronicle)
•        Lawsuit accuses MWD of predatory water diversions in Riverside, Imperial counties (San Diego Union-Tribune)

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

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Existing border fence in Campo

September 27, 2017 (San Diego) – Construction of eight border wall prototypes, each costing up to a half million dollars, is now underway in Otay Mesa.  After testing of alternative materials and designs built here, President Donald Trump aims to erect a wall along the entire U.S.- Mexico border at a cost of some $60 billion.  But it is unclear why San Diego was chosen for the prototypes and many local officials have raised concerns.

East County News Service

Photo:  (from left to right):  Marla Black, Junior Achievement of San Diego County; Wendy McKinney, American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties; Martha King, King Schools; Van Tran, Sharp Grossmont Hospital; Michelle Bergquist, Connected Women of Influence; Kristine Costa, Waste Management, Inc.; Barbara Ryan, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego; Bonnie Rush, Breast Imaging Specialists.

September 26, 2017 (La Mesa) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce recently honored eight women with 2017 Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL) awards. Now in its 15th year, the annual WILL event honors women for their outstanding leadership, exemplary character and integrity in the community, as well as their efforts to empower women to succeed and prosper in life and business, Chamber officials said. The awards event was held Friday, Sept. 22 at the Town and Country Resort Hotel in Mission Valley

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 26, 2017 (Ramona) - Cool airplanes, awesome cars, flapjacks, Mexican food, live country music, a hot air balloon and a really big Smokey Bear — if that sounds interesting to you, you’re in luck!

Visitors can see all of that and more from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 7 when the Ramona Air Fair & Fly-in comes back to Ramona Airport at 2926 Montecito Road.

Concerned raised by Jamul residents who say inequities in fire mitigation grants favor Alpine areas at lesser risk

By Paul Kruze

September 24, 2017 (Alpine) -- Nearly 60 East County residents attended the first open house held by the Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation Group (SPFMG) at the Alpine Community Center on Sept. 19. The purpose of the open house was to educate residents about the fire mitigation grants program and the results of the 2017 grant program.

East County News Service

September 29, 2017 (La Mesa) -- A wide variety of high quality, fairly traded international items will be available at a La Mesa gift fair on Sunday, Oct. 15 in the church hall at St. Martin of Tours Church in La Mesa (7710 El Cajon Blvd.)  The event will take place from 8 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.  Attendees can enjoy samples of fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate and ice cream while perusing gift items such as handmade baskets, jewelry, clothing, home décor, crafts and more. Also, available for purchase will be fair trade chocolate, coffee & teas.

By Liz Alper

Cover photo:  several New England Patriots players kneel during the national anthem at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA on Sunday.  Courtesy u/MAINEiac4434 on Reddit

September 26, 2017 (San Diego) - With Puerto Rico walloped by a hurricane and North Korea threatening nuclear war, President Donald Trump has taken time to lob criticisms at NFL players for kneeling during the national anthem, ratcheting up controversy that has now enveloped multiple professional sports.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap is an important step you can take to prevent spread of Hepatitis A.

September 25, 2017 (La Mesa) – After the County’s emergency declaration over Hepatitis A,  ECM learned that eight cases have been reported in La Mesa and at least six cases in Santee. So we asked both cities what steps they are taking to  address this public health problem.

By Frans Leppanen, San Diego County Library

September 25, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) -- Six San Diego County authors will appear at a two-hour Author Event, Saturday, October 7 at 2 p.m. at the Rancho San Diego Branch of the San Diego County Branch Library, located at 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, CA 92019.  Authors Oyuki Aguilar, Renee Barnes, Sarah Bates, Dr. RH Gutierrez, Suzette Valle, and Wanjiru Warama will discuss their books. A book signing and reception will follow the authors’ presentations, with copies of the books available for purchase.