WHITE CHRISTMAS: SNOW FORECAST DOWN TO 3,500 FEET
Sheriff warns of snow jams Readers, send us your snow photos! editor@eastcountymagazine.org East County News Service December 22, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm in the region is dropping heavy rain across our region, with snow forecast to dip down to 3,500 feet by Saturday. That includes Pine Valley, Descanso, and Julian, with six inches or more possible atop Mt Laguna. Strong winds of 60 miles per hour or more are expected in some mountain areas. The Sheriff offers this advice if you plan to visit these areas: * Have a full tank of gas, water and food supplies in case you are stranded in traffic for several hours. * Have snow chains for areas where they will be required. * Public restroom facilities are limited. Be mindful of areas that are private property which are marked by signs and fences. Private property is off limits to the public for recreational snow activities. Parking is limited. Parking violations will be enforced and citations will be issued. Vehicles blocking roadways and private property will be towed. Be aware of increased law enforcement activity to handle the large crowds.
DRIVER, 23, DIES IN LATE-NIGHT LAKESIDE CRASH
East County News Service December 22, 2016 (Lakeside) – A 23-year-old San Diego woman driving a Toyota Solara eastbound on I-8 east of Los Coches Road last night at 11:50 p.m. lost control of her vehicle while changing lanes on the rain-slicked highway. Her vehicle struck a metal guard rail, then overturned. She was traveling at approximately 65 miles per hour when the crash occurred. The young woman died at the scene of the crash from injuries sustained in the accident. No other vehicles were involved. “No other vehicles were involved and it appears alcohol or drugs were not a factor,” said Officer Kevin Pearlstein with the California Highway Patrol.
POINSETTIA BOWL: COWBOYS RALLY, BUT COUGARS HOLD STRONG, WIN 24-21
By Liz Alper Photo by Cris Rangel December 21, 2016 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl was played on a cold, rainy night at Qualcomm between BYU and the team that was a thorn in SDSU’s side until they defeated them in this year’s Mountain West championship game, Wyoming. At the end of the first quarter, after Wyoming senior punter Ethan Wood bobbled a punt, BYU took over on the turnover and sophomore quarterback Tanner Mangum punched it in and the Cougars took the lead 7-0. Sophomore kicker Rhett Almond added three more in the second to put the Cougs up 10-0 at the half. In the second half, the Cowboys finally tallied with a drive filled with fourth down conversions. Junior running back Brian Hill ran it in at the goal line for the touchdown and Wyoming trailed by three, 10-7. But after a big catch good for 39 yards by redshirt senior El Cajon native and Grossmont College transfer Nick Kurtz, the Cougars were at the goal line. Mangum avoided pressure and threw a ball to the end zone that was bobbled by Kurtz and eventually caught by junior tight end Tanner Balderree for the touchdown. BYU was up by 10 again, 17-7. Early in the fourth, senior running back Jamaal Williams broke free and added seven more for the Cougars with a touchdown run and BYU put this one out of reach of the Cowboys 24-7. The Cowboys didn’t go away; redshirt sophomore transfer quarterback Josh Allen passed to senior Tanner Gentry and the Cowboys were in double digits as the Cougars led 24-14. Wyoming got one last hurrah when Gentry made a tremendous grab and reached the end zone and just like that, the Cougars’ 24-7 lead was whittled down to a field goal, 24-21. But just like Philip Rivers, Allen throws game-ending interceptions too, as he threw one to senior safety Kai Nacua that allowed BYU to hold onto their lead and win the Poinsettia Bowl 24-21. Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s Sports section!
FREE CHRISTMAS TREE GIVEAWAY FOR EL CAJON RESIDENTS DEC. 23
Source: City of El Cajon December 21, 2016 (El Cajon) –Newly elected El Cajon City Councilmember Steve Goble and the El Cajon Police Department are hosting a “Free Christmas Tree” giveaway this Friday, December 23rd. These free Christmas trees will be given out from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Cartwright Pest Control, located at 1376 Broadway in El Cajon. There will be 150 trees, up to 8’ tall and some will include flocking. The trees will be given out first come, first serve, while supplies last. Individuals must be able show proof of El Cajon residency through any form of identification. Councilmember Goble and representatives from the ECPD will be present to wish all a merry Christmas and happy holidays. “Some in our community would like to have a Christmas tree this year, but for a number of reasons, may not have been able to get one yet,” said Goble. “For the first 150 who come, we’d be glad to help make this a possibility and provide them a great experience.” Travis Howard, an El Cajon police officer commented, “We are proud to help provide these trees to our community. We hope everyone who receives a tree enjoys it with our best wishes.”