By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2018 Point in Time “We All Count” report on homelessness in our region reveals that 12.7% of San Diego County’s homeless population is in East County.  While El Cajon has made progress toward sheltering its homeless people, no such progress has been made in the unincorporated areas or most East County cities.

By Liz Orient

May 16, 2018 (Ramona) -- The historic town of Ramona is well known for its wineries and breweries. Mom and Pop brewing companies hold a special place in my heart and I love their genuine character. If you are looking for the same experience, look no further than Reds, Whites and Brews in downtown Ramona.

By Miriam Raftery

May 13, 2018 (San Diego) – California law restricts counties from approving more than four General Plan amendments a year, a law meant to prevent developers from pushing through excessive waivers.  But now a video reveals County Planning and Development Services Director Mark Wardlow proposing “bundling” together multiple projects far larger than current zoning laws allow.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update May 11, 2018 12:45 p.m.: Crews have found wreckage of an airplane but have not been able to identify the plane, nor whoever was aboard.  Anyone with information is asked to notify the Sheriff.

Update May 11, 2018 10 a.m.:  Morning firefighting crews are nearing the site; the fire is now 10 acres, Cal Fire reports.

Update: 9:55 p.m. from Cal Fire: Incident commander reports the fire is 3 to 4 acres, burning at a slow rate of spread on the north side of Volcan Mountain. There are no homes in the area of the  #VolcanFire .

May 10, 2018 (Ranchita/Julian) -- Cal Fire confirms that a brush fire is burning near Volcan Mountain in steep, inaccessible terrain tonight.  The Sheriff's Department has confirmed to ECM news partner 10 News that deputies can see flames near Ranchita, near Volcan Mountain, between Warner Springs adn Borrego.  A plane has been reported down, according to HAM radio reports and calls to authorities though the crash is not yet confirmed.

Brett Staulbaum, a ham radio operator in Shelter Valley, relayed this message to ECM warning of a possible risk to the nearby Shelter Valley area:

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

May 5, 2018 (Ramona)--Cal Fire advises that a brush fire is burning in Ramona. The blaze, now about seven acres, started at Montecito Road and North Ramona. The blaze is 10 percent contained and burning at a moderate rate of speed.

The Sheriff's Department reported moments ago that the fire is mostly in a riverbed and that no homes are currently threatened. Residents and motorists are asked to please keep the area clear for emergency vehicles.

An open letter to the Grossmont-Union High School District governing board asserts changes led to “very late buses, lost children” and other serious problems

By Holly Hernandez, California School Employees Association President, Chapter 607 Alpine

April 30, 2018 (Alpine) -- CSEA has concerns with transportation issues that have been reoccurring since last Tuesday April 10^th, 2018.

During Bargaining on April 12^th, 2018, it was voiced by Holly Hernandez that GUHSD would not be able to go to four routes in Alpine. After four days of drastically failing at the attempt to comply with only four bus routes, the following occurred; very late buses, lost children, routes getting to bus stops in the mornings very early because of last minute route changes, parents not being notified of changes, incorrect student rosters, kindergartners being on the bus for up to 1 hr. 45 minutes, and very worried and frustrated students and parents.

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Bobbi Zane

Photo, left, and interior photos courtesy Julian Gold Rush Hotel

April 17, 2018 (Julian) -- Julian Gold Rush Hotel is a lovely Victorian bed and breakfast that dates back to the 1890s. Known as the “Queen of the Back Country,” the hotel is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places 

Source: CHP

April 11, 2018 (Ramona) – A Ramona man died after losing control of his vehicle and striking a boulder, then rolling over.

He was driving a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino on Dye Road east of State Route 67 when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, leading to the tragedy.

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2018 (Alpine) – You’re invited to savor fine wines from over 40 wineries and taste specialty foods from local restaurants at Vintage Alpine, a wine experience in the country.  The event takes place on Sunday, May 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Summers Past Farms (15602 Olde Highway 80 in Flinn Springs)—all to benefit the children of Sna Diego County.

By Miriam Raftery

March 21, 2018 (Alpine) – The Alpine Education Association will hold its sixth annual Spring Gala on Saturday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Viejas Casino & Resort in the Oak Ballroom. The event includes a buffet-style dinner, silent and live auctions, music and dancing – all to improve education for children in Alpine schools.

For tickets, visit https://aef4kids.org/events/aef-gala-2018//.

By Joyce Strand

Photo from left to right: Democratic candidate for Congress Ammar Campa-Najjar, Republican candidate for Congress Shamus Sayed, Luawanna Hallstrom and Warren Bacon.

March 15, 2018 (Ramona) - The topics of water, farm labor, and NAFTA dominated presentations at Indivisible Ramona’s second community meeting to understand issues of importance to San Diego County, held at the Ramona Library Community Room on February 27th.

East County News Service

March 14, 2018 (Ramona) – Utility boxes in Ramona will soon be sporting murals painted by local artists, sponsored by the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Murals Project.

The 17 SDG&E utility boxes on or near Main Street in Ramona will be painted started this spring.

By Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2018 (Alpine) – From vegetable gardening to parenting, great movies to feminism, you’ll find plenty to learn from five authors who have collectively authored 12 books. All will be signing copies of their books at the Alpine branch of the County Library on Saturday, March 17 at 2 p.m. 

See flyer below for details:

By Miriam Raftery

March 11, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A new storm is set to hit our region starting Wednesday, along with cold temperatures.  Rainfall is forecast to be heaviest Friday and Saturday, with snow at higher elevations.

By Pat Landis, President

Photo, left:  Julian Women's Club president Pat Landis, past president Marion Moore and California Federation Area Membership VP Stephanie Stark

March 8, 2018 (Julian) - On March 5^th at a Scholarship Luncheon, the Julian Woman’s Club honored eleven women who have been members of the club from twenty to forty years. Eight are past presidents of the club and several others have served as officers at the District and State level of the California Federation of Women’s Clubs. These are truly exceptional women.