East County News Service

September 6, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - On the heels of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma is now wreaking havoc in the Caribbean and is heading toward the U.S. mainland.

Irma is the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic, with wind speeds of 185 miles per hour. It slammed into the U.S. Virgin Islands as a category 5 hurricane, and is also soon expected to ravage Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory and other Caribbean islands.

East County News Service

September 5, 2017 (Poway) – The Sheriff seeks public help to locate three suspects in a white van who reportedly tried to kidnap two boys, ages 9 and 12.

According to the boys, the van pulled up next to them as they were walking along Martincoit Road on Thursday, August 21^st.  A front passenger wearing a black ski mask tried to grab the 12-year-old through an open window and ordered him to “Get in the car.”

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

September 5, 2017 (La Mesa) - Amidst all the high school football, Helix High field hockey is ready to start a new season.  Tonight, they faced the Centurions of University City High in La Jolla in their first matchup of the season.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left:  Volunteers, photo by Ariele Brooke

September 5, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Hundreds of people showed up for a rally and empty chair town hall hosted by Indivisible at Cuyamaca Community College, in Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr.’s Congressional District on August 26th  The event was organized  by Indivisible, a group opposed to Hunter, after the Congressman failed to host a second town hall in his district following a contentious town hall back in March in Ramona where hundreds lined up and could not get into the packed venue.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type “Sports” on the donation line!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Story by Liz Alper

Videos courtesy goaztecs.com.  For Quest Truxton and Noble Hall's portion of the press conference, click "read more" and scroll to the bottom.

September 5, 2017 (San Diego) - With a big win against UC Davis on Saturday under their belt, San Diego State Aztecs football is heading to Arizona this weekend to face Arizona State.  Head coach Rocky Long, junior defensive lineman Noble Hall and senior wide receiver Quest Truxton sat down with the media at this week's press conference.

East County News Service

September 5, 2017 ( La Mesa) – The volunteer citizens group monitoring the spending of millions of dollars in public funds for new and improved patient care facilities at Sharp Grossmont Hospital has a new member. James Sly, vice president and chief operations officer of the San Diego East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC), has joined the Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (ICBOC). The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), the public agency managing the bond-financed construction at the hospital, recently approved the appointment of Sly to the ICBOC.

By C. Bonsignore, Alpine

September 4, 2017 (Alpine) -- Imagine a picnic under a shade tree in a cool grassy park, relaxing with friends and the whole family, while the kids play on swings and slides, the teens on the skateboard ramps, there are fire pits, barbecues, restrooms, fountains, dog frisbee, seniors playing bocce ball and 24/7 access, right here in Alpine..

East County News Service

September 4, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Music Department will present "Salsa Under the Stars," a fundraiser for student scholarships and a CD release celebration for music instructor and internationally known salsa bandleader, composer and recording artist Manny Cepeda.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 4, 2017 (San Diego) - Summertime fun will carry into the fall this year. Summer Movies in the Park continues with two dozen free outdoor movies in September and October. So pop the popcorn, grab your picnic blanket and get ready for family-friendly films under the stars.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

Hear our interview with Josh Butner at the audio link and scroll down for highlights.

September 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Josh Butner says he’s running for Congress against Representative Duncan Hunter in the 50th Congressional District to “put people first, not personal profit or special interest politics.” 

A former Navy Seal Lieutenant Commander and current trustee on the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District board, he wants to champion a strong public education, restore integrity, and provide strong leadership on issues ranging from foreign policy to helping military families to combating climate change.

East County Magazine’s Show recently sat down with Butner for an in-depth interview originally aired July 21 on KNSJ radio. Hear the full 42-minute interview by clicking the orange audio link, and scroll down for highlights. He is one of five Democrats in the race; two Republican challengers to Hunter have also announced intentions to run. With Hunter under a federal criminal probem, this race is drawing national attention.

East County News Service

September 4, 2017 ( La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors recently awarded several sponsorships to community organizations that protect and promote the health of local residents.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: “Bootsie,” found dead and mutilated in Lemon Grove, one of several similar cat deaths in recent weeks in East County communities.

September 3, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Residents in Spring Valley, Lemon Grove and Mt. Helix are voicing concerns after several cats were found cut in half, dismembered or eviscerated in recent weeks.  It is not yet known whether the gruesome finds were the result of human acts or animal predators.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Jaundice, or yellowed eyes and skin, is one tell-tale sign of Hepatitis.

September 3, 2017 (San Diego) – The Joint Legislative Audit Committee on Thursday approved by a 10-3 vote auditing San Diego County’s Health and Human Service Agency for what Service Employees International calls “dangerously low staffing levels of public nurses.”