By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Barry Aninag, B.A.investigations, via Linked In

February 16, 2018 (La Mesa) – La Mesa's City Manager Yvonne Garrett and City Attorney Glenn Sabine signed an agreement today with Barry Aninag, B.A. Investigations, LLC, in connection with the January 19, 2018 use of force incident by a La Mesa Police school resource officer on a handcuffed female student at Helix Charter High School.

Aninag's LinkedIn profile states that Aninag is the owner of B.A. Investigations and is a “retired police executive after having served thirty years in law enforcement.”

East County News Service

February 17, 2018 (San Diego) -- The Alaska String Band will perform at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre on Friday, March 16^th at 7 p.m. to benefit the ministries of Alpine’s Christ the King Episcopal Church.  Be entertained by the delightful talent of this family band, as they take you on a musical journey filled with the rich sounds of bluegrass and a variety of timeless American classics while wide-screen images portray the beauty of Alaska to create a visually captivating setting.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Jose Estrada from Cal rans presents Dan Russell with an award in appreciation of his tireless efforts

February 15, 2018 (Pine Valley/Campo) – Dan Russell worked 27 years for the San Diego Fire Department. Now he’s a local hero for a different reason – working tirelessly to clean up trash along Interstate 8 and other roadways in East County.

“I’ve been doing it now for 12 years,” says Russell.  “I would say I average five hours a day, six days a week.  I pick up just under a thousand pounds a month…real close to 10,000 pounds a year; over 100,000 pounds since I got started.”

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2018 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police are seeking witnesses to identify the driver who hit and fatally injured a woman pedestrian found still alive at 4:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of South Sunshine Avenue.  She died while being transported to a hospital, Patch.com reports.

The woman may have been homeless, according to Lt. Royal Bates.

Click to view video of Adnan Al Jaafari's anti-corruption message in Arabic or scroll down for highlights and local reactions

By Jonathan Goetz

Translator Abbas Al Khuzaie also contributed to this report

February 14, 2018  (El Cajon) -- Adnan Al Jaafari is a journalist who has published a video criticizing corruption, including harsh words for Iraq's highest ranked religious figure, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

A blog on Huffington Post, as well as an East County resident we interviewed, credit Sistani with defeating ISIS in Iraq.

Story and photos by A.J. Herrington

February 13, 2018 (Julian) -- The Board of Directors of the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD) has voted 3-2 to negotiate fire protection standards for the community with the County of San Diego, if the County takes over that responsibility from the district. Many of the area residents who attended the crowded meeting at Fire Station 56 on Highway 79 today believe it’s the beginning of the end for the last volunteer fire department in the county.

East County News Service

February 13, 2018 (Lakeside) - More help is now available to victims of domestic violence in the East County. The Lakeside Sheriff's Substation is partnering with a non-profit group to offer direct and immediate assistance to victims.

Runway Shoes & Accessories is Rancho San Diego’s newest fashion bargain retailer

By Reema Makani Boccia

February 11, 2018 (El Cajon) - Rancho San Diego’s retail offerings have expanded with the recent addition of the fashionable Runway Shoes & Accessories. The boutique is locally owned and operated by an East County family, and features head-to-toe merchandise for any fashionista on a budget.

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2018 (El Cajon) — A man in a vehicle parked outside the Home Goods store at Parkway Plaza shopping mall in El Cajon exposed himself to a 14-year-old girl on Tuesday, the girl’s mother told ECM news partner 10 News.

Update February 11, 2018:  Mrs. Scinto has been found near her vehicle , reunited with her family and taken to a local hospital for evaluation. See details below:

"We thank the public for looking out for Mrs. Scinto, as well as our Search and Rescue volunteers," says Sergeant Kristin Brayman.

The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) is an all-volunteer unit. Together, they perform wilderness and urban rescues, as well as search for missing and at-risk persons. Teams are available 24 hours per day to respond to local, state and federal agency requests. If you would like to volunteer, visit www.sdsheriff.net/volunteers.

If you have a loved one who has Alzheimer's or suffers from a physical or mental disability, you can sign them up for the Sheriff's Take Me Home Program. It's a FREE and confidential service that can help law enforcement find a loved one in the event they get lost or wander away. For more information or to enroll online, visit: www.sdsheriff.net/tmh.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 10, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Legislation introduced by State Senator Ben Hueso aims to expand a successful “promise zone” program originally used to improve inner city areas in the city of San Diego.  If enacted,  Senate Bill 635 would allow blighted rural and tribal communities as well as cities with populations under 200,000 people to also apply for promise zone designation.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 9, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) - Countless people are heard to utter, “There is nothing like eating a homegrown tomato” at Scott Daigre’s Tomatomania® event every year in March. Tomatomania® returns on March 10^th and 11^th from 9.a.m.  to 3 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College.  This famous weekend-long sale features heirloom and hybrid tomato seedlings of every size, shape, color, and taste profile.

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 8, 2018 (Santee) – Genevieve Jones-Wright, a candidate running for San Diego County District Attorney, will be the featured speaker at the East County Democratic Club’s meeting on February 15 at 7 p.m. at Jimmy’s Family Restaurant, 9635 Mission Gorge Road in Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2018 (Jamul) – What could be more romantic than a Valentine’s dinner at a French restaurant?  Fabrison’s Country French Cooking in Jamul is offering two dinner packages for you and your sweetheart on February 14. Choose from Country French fancy at $50 a person or Country French Rustic at $35 a person.

Each includes a three-course meal with multiple options.  Bon appetit!