By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- Tragedy has struck a Spring Valley family after George and Gladys Novinger were swept over the towering Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii over the weekend.  Gladys was found unconscious and taken to a hospital, where she died.  Her husband is presumed dead, though his body has not yet been recovered and may have been washed out to sea, according to Hawaii authorities.

By Jake Christie

November 29, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- The banner on the second story says “coming in 2018.”  But the Grove Lofts building site on Broadway in the outskirts of Lemon Grove has been mostly unmanned by construction workers for over a month, say the Spring Valley residents closest to the site.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Bobcat with necrotic mange in Deerhorn Valley, 2012

November 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Deadly outbreaks of mange in wildlife across California has been linked to second-generation anti-coagulant poisons meant to kill rats and other rodents.  Locally, numerous cases of mange have been reported among coyotes in Lakeside as recently as this month.  In Deerhorn Valley, the Antler documented bobcats dying of necrotic mange from second generation rodenticides in 2012. 

By Miriam Raftery

East County News Service

November 16, 2017 (Alpine) - The Alpine Woman’s Club will hold its Twelfth Annual “Christmas in Alpine” Home Tour on Saturday, December 16th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You will have an opportunity to view five stunning country estates and stroll through Kathy and Mario’s quaint and spectacular Alpine Country Garden and Gifts Shop and the beautifully decorated Alpine Community Church. The Historic Town Hall will be open from 1pm till 4pm. Andrew Piondexter will display his incredible Nutcracker collection. He originally started his collection about five years ago for one of his teachers. He added to his collection and now has almost 300 Nutcrackers. They range in size from two inches to five feet tall.

East County News Service

November 13, 2017 (Alpine) - A suspect who fled from Sheriff’s deputies after allegedly trying to steal gas or tampering with county gas pumps on Tavern Road in Alpine this morning has crashed the Toyota Camry he was driving and wound up air lifted to a trauma center.

By Miriam Raftery

November 11, 2017 (Jamul) –What’s better than a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner?  The one you don’t have to make. Fortunately, Fabrison’s  Country French restaurant in Jamul is offering delicious take-out dinners for Thanksgiving. 

The menu includes free-range turkey, butternut squash soup, garden greens salad, green bean casserole, orange cranberry sauce, sugar-spiced glazed carrots, roasted potatoes (with garlic and rosemary option), gravy, french baguette stuffing, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie.

Cost is $39.95 per person. You can choose from these take-out options:

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

November 7, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – A man suspected of savagely stabbing a female delivery driver, 35, this morning at a convenience store in La Mesa has been taken into custody.  Sheriff’s deputies are investigating whether he may be linked to another woman found stabbed this morning in El Cajon.

The chilling sequence of events began shortly after 3 a.m. when a Frito Lay delivery truck driver was stabbed repeatedly outside of the 7-Eleven store on Avocado Boulevard in unincorporated La Mesa.  She staggered into the store, where she collapsed after telling a clerk she’d been attacked, 10 News reports.

October 25, 2017 (Alpine) -- Alpine Inn Steakhouse (2225 Alpine Blvd., Alpine), the coziest steakhouse in East County is now reopened under new ownership -- and East County Dining Club will host our next event sizzling event there on Friday, November 10th. 

Join us for cocktails (cash bar) at 5:30 in the steakhouse bar and dinner at 6:30 in the private captain's-style dining room. Enjoy live music by Paul Nichols and Cindy Burnham, plus you can win prizes!  You don't have to be a dining club member -- all are welcome!

This event requires an RSVP by November 5 and pre-reserving your choice for entrée, 2 sides, and a dessert. See the delicious details below!

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

November 3, 2017 (Spring Valley) - For the last game of the season, ECM Friday Night Lights went back to our old stomping ground:  Mount Miguel High School.  They faced a team we’ve never covered; the Sultans of Santana.  The purple and gold haven’t had the season they wanted, sporting a 4-5 overall (1-2 in league) record.  The Monarchs have done a little better since we saw them last, but still hold a 3-6 overall (1-2 in league) record.

By Ken Stone

Originally published by Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Rebekah Basson, 25, was appointed to the La Mesa-Spring Valley school board in August. Photo by Ken Stone

November 1, 2017 (La Mesa) - La Mesa’s new school board member voted in Georgia’s November 2016 election despite later swearing that she had been a resident of the East County district for 1 1/2 years — going back to about January 2016.

East County News Service

October 29, 2017 (Otay Mesa) – A hiker found the body of a man near Upper Otay Lake Sunday morning, though authorities believe the person died at least a day earlier.  According to the Sheriff’s department, the body was discovered in the 12000 block of Proctor Valley Road.

The Sheriff’s Department is investigating the cause of death.

By Miriam Raftery

October 26, 2017 (Spring Valley) – The AM/PM gas station at 9065 Campo Road was robbed at gunpoint yesterday at 5:29 p.m. According to Sheriff’s Sergeant Michael Hettinger, the suspect pointed a handgun at a cashier and a second employee, ordering them not to move. He took an undisclosed amount of money and is believed to have fled in a black Ford Explorer driven by an accomplice.

East County News Service

October 25, 2017 (Alpine) – Viejas Outlets in Alpine invite you to “trick or treat off the street” on Tuesday, October 31^st from 5 to 8 p.m.

You’re invited to bring your whole family of goblins, ghouls and witches! Visit any retail shop to receive Halloween treats.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type in “Sports” as your donation!

Check out ECM’s sports section for more sports stories!

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

Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity?  Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

October 20, 2017 (El Cajon) - ECM Friday Night Lights is back in action this week with our first-ever visit to El Cajon Valley.  The Braves are struggling at 2-5 and 0-1 in league play.  Tonight the Monarchs of Monte Vista paid Darryl R. Priest Field a visit.  The boys in red and gold are 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the Grossmont League.