March 5, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - The San Diego chapter of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) is sponsoring a Rattlesnake Avoidance Training clinic for dogs March 28th at the Jamul Veterinary Hospital in Jamul.

East County News Service; photo courtesy of NASA

December 9, 2014 (NASA)--The Aztecs are now on Mars. It’s official – two rocky outcroppings on the red planet now bear the name Aztec.

November 24, 2014 (La Mesa)--The La Mesa Police Department has been awarded a $38,000.00 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of special enforcements and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries.  The La Mesa Police Department will use the funding as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe and improve the quality of life through both enforcement and education.

By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2014 (La Mesa) – Starting Monday, November 10, Center City Shell at 3810 Massachusetts Avenue will be offering up an ethanol fuel blend made from corn by Pearson Fuel.  The E85 Flex Fuel will be sold for a special rate of just 85 cents a gallon on opening day, when Miss California will be on hand for a ribbon cutting.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of Jill Terp, Rancho Jamul Ecological Preserve, looking west toward the preserve from the Dulzura Creek area.

October 27, 2014 (Jamul) – Grading is underway for a waterline project at the Rancho Jamul Ecological Preserve.

October 15, 2014 (Santee)--The Sheriff's Department is looking for horse owners and riders who would like to become members of the Volunteer Mounted Patrol. They conduct patrols on horseback across San Diego County, including the Santee and Lakeside areas.

By Miriam Raftery

September 24, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Imagine being blind and having a device that can take photos of text on ordinary items, such as menus, ballots, store signs or classroom materials – and then read them to you out loud.  It sounds like science fiction, but a brand new app for Apple’s iphones can now do just that.  It can also convert the text to Braille.

August 25, 2014 (El Cajon)- You're invited to exercise mind and body while learning basic square dance moves. Partners or fancy attire are not necessary. The class is open to families, couples, singles, children (ages 12 and older), and adults. The eight-week class begins on Tuesday, September

16, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Bostonia Recreation Center, 1049 Bostonia Ave. in El Cajon.

August 9, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - Every minute that a victim of sudden cardiac arrest waits for CPR, their chance of survival drops by up to 10 percent.

By Miriam Raftery

July 17, 2014 (San Vicente) - The tallest dam raising in the United States is now complete.

On Wednesday, the San Diego County Water Authority  held a dedication ceremony for the new dam at San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside.

By Miriam Raftery

Looking for some affordable family entertainment?  On Tuesday and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. all summer long, 350 Regal Entertainment group cinemas (including theaters in East County) are offering $1 movie showings. 

East County theaters include Edwards Rancho San Diego Stadium 15 and Regal Parkway Plaza Stadium 18 & IMAX, both in El Cajon. Click here to find the schedule for a theater near you.

Dollar days at the movies were a bargain back when I was in college a few decades ago, and an even bigger savings today, with inflation, especially for families with kids off for summer vacation in need of some entertaining options on a limited budget.

Films to be shown are listed below.

The County invites kids and parents to a Bicycle Rodeo at the Pine Valley Park on Old Highway 80 in Pine Valley this Saturday, June 28^th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.   

Kids can enjoy riding a short course to learn how to properly operate a bicycle. Children and parents will learn bicycle safety and how to properly fit a bicycle helmet. Kids are encouraged to bring bicycles, bike helmets and other safety gear.

June 7, 2014 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon for 150 volunteers to help build a playground Saturday – and got 290. Not only was this one-of-kind customized playground built in one day, it was built in less than six hours.

East County News Service

May 22, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--California agencies fighting the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels urge boaters to remain vigilant over the three-day Memorial Day weekend. The mussels have been found in numerous lakes in San Diego and East County, among other California locations: http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup/mollusks/zebramussel/maps/CaliforniaDreissenaMap.jpg

People who launch vessels at any body of water are subject to watercraft inspections and are encouraged to clean, drain and dry their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft, and any equipment that comes into contact with the water before and after recreating at a waterway.