East County News Service

July 23, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The Real East County Fire Safe Council, EDCO and Team E invite you to bring your trash, green waste, e-waste and brush to community clean-up day events coming up in Boulevard, Jacumba Hot Springs and Potrero. This is a free service to community residents.

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2017 (Ramona) – Complaints by neighbors of suspicious activity led to a search warrant for a property in the 500 block of F Street in Ramona early this morning.  SWAT team members and deputies with the Sheriff’s crime suppression team found firearms, drugs, drug paraphernalia and suspected stolen property.

Update July 23, 2017, 8:20 a.m. (Warner Springs) -- With better mapping the fire is now estimated at 210 acres. Cleveland National Forest and CAL FIRE are fighting it in a joint command. 

East County News Service

July 22, 2017 (Warner Springs) -- A 300-acre wildfire dubbed the #LostFire is burning four miles north of Warner Springs and is zero percent contained ths evening, according to County Emergency Services and CAL FIRE.

The blaze began at the Indian Flats Campground off State Route 79.  Indian Flats campground has been evacuated. Hwy 79 closed at Indian Flats Rd., Chihuahua Valley Rd. and Puerta LaCruz Rd

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left:  Robert Clark

July 22, 2017 (El Cajon) - Last week’s City Council meetings saw a new City Clerk, discussion of the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC), approval of a disposition and development agreement for the old police station on Highway 67 and approval of an adult daycare.

By Miriam Raftery

July 21, 2017 (Jamul) – At last month’s Jamul-Dulzura Planning Group meeting, concerns were raised over Sunrise Powerlink Mitigation grants – specifically, why some homes near the high voltage line in Deerhorn Valley received no grant money, while homes in Alpine further area where added to the eligible area for grants and did receive funds. Questions have also been raised as to why Alpine has representation on the Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation Board, but Deerhorn Valley/Jamul does not.

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (La Mesa) – Authorities are seeking public help to locate a masked, gun-wielding suspect seen exiting Conroy’s Flower Shop  on Jackson Drive in la Mesa at 10:50 a.m.  Passerbys called police and reported eseing the suspect get into a Hyundai Elantra, license 7LNX477, driven by another suspect. They are considered armed and dangerous.

A second witness took a photo of the black Hyundai and its license plate.  Police arrived and confirmed that a robbery had occurred. Minutes later, La Mesa Police spotted the vehicle traveling westbound on I-8 in the College area.

By Miriam Raftery

July 19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – San Miguel Fire District has launched a Facebook page to alert residents about daily fire and rescue incidents within the district.  You can view the page here: https://www.facebook.com/SanMiguelFireRescue/

East County news Service

July 19, 2017 (Rancho San Diego)—Heritage of the Americans Museum invites you to the Museum Roadshow this Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 pm.  You can bring in your treasures and have certified authenticator and appraiser Craig Helm tell you what it’s worth. 

His specialties are Native American and pre-Columbian artifacts, antique pictures, Western memorabilia and Asian artifacts.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2017 (El Cajon) – A transient is under arrest for the attempted murder of an El Cajon Police officer that occurred yesterday shortly after 10 a.m. The suspect reportedly punched the officer repeatedly, continuing to assault him after he was unconscious.

Officers were dispatched to a Dollar Store, where a robbery had been reported.  Employees said the suspect had gone to a JFC restaurant nearby at 724 Fletcher Parkway. KFC had also called police to report the suspect stole soda from their fountain. There, the suspect,  Daniel Moses Cook, 42, violently assaulted the officer.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Not long ago, La Mesa overturned a Prohibition-Era ban on wine making. Now LegalizeFerrets.org, a La Mesa-based group that claims to have 3,000 members, is  asking La Mesa’s City Council to end another long-time ban by declaring  sanctuary city status for pet ferrets.

Who knew that La Mesa was a hotbed of underground ferret activity?  

Now, furtive ferret owners may have found a champion in Councilwoman Kristine Alessio, who raises Bengal cats, has served as Legislative Director for The International Cat Association and as a volunteer for the City's Pet Therapy Program.

East County News Service

July 17, 2017 (Santee) – In a 5-0 unanimous vote, the Santee City Council has authorized Mayor John Minto to send an official letter from the council to San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore requesting a change in Gore’s internal policy regarding the issuance of concealed weapon permits. Specifically, the council is asking Sheriff Gore to accept self-defense or personal protection to fulfill California’s requirement of “good cause.” 

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

July 15, 2017 (La Mesa) -- In a joyous, humor infused ground-breaking ceremony, NBA basketball star Bill Walton, Supervisor Dianne Jacob, La Mesa Mayor Dr. Mark Arapostanthis, guests of honor Ronald and Mary Alice Brady and more dug the ceremonial shovels into the dirt.  The ceremony, held on the future Boys & Girls Club site on the La Mesa Arts Academy campus on July 12, was a welcome event culminating from great organizational skills, huge and small money donations, and hard work.

Source: Spring Valley Community Planning Group

July 14, 2017 (Spring Valley)—A second vacancy has been announced on the Spring Valley Community  Planning Group effective immediately, due to family commitments by Lance Unverzagt that make him unable to attend meetings.  Another vacancy also exists due to the recent retirement of James Comeau.

The County Board of Supervisors will ultimately make the appointments based on the recommendations of the Planning Group. Please refer to the San Diego County Roster of Boards, Commissions and Committees on their web site at: http://www.sdcounty.ca .gov/cob/. The applications will be reviewed and a vote for recommendation of appointment will be made at a future meeting.