East County News Service

April 7, 2017 (Flinn Springs) - The Alpine Kiwanis Club invites the public to attend the 27th Annual Vintage Alpine fundraiser held from 1 - 4 p.m. on May 7, hosted by the nonprofit Kiwanis Club of Alpine Foundation, Inc. This "Wine Experience in the Country" will take place within the lovely gardens of Summers Past Farms at 15602 Old Highway 80 in Flinn Springs.

East County News Service

April 1, 2017 (Guatay) – Jack Rafael Ruiz, 66, of Guatay died on March 30^th at a home he was working on as a pest control employee at 1526 Oak Hill Drive in Escondido.  According to the Medical Examiner’s office, a coworker left for two hours and upon return, found Ruiz unresponsive on the back patio with head trauma.

East County News Service

March 21, 2017 (Julian) - Julian High School will host a mobile blood drive with the San Diego Blood Bank on Saturday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The school is located at 1656 Highway in Julian; the blood drive will be in the parking lot.

About 1 in 7 people entering a hospital need blood. One pint of blood, which is the amount volunteers give when they donate blood, can save up to three lives. Approximately, 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood but less than 10% do annually. Since blood is always needed, volunteers are asked to give blood for patients, such as those going through cancer or trauma.

Source: County of San Diego

March 19, 2017 (San Diego's East County)--An estimated 900,000 gallon sewage spill was identified Friday, March 17^th at Los Coches Creek near East Sierra Alta Way in unincorporated El Cajon, the County announced today. The sewage entered the creek after an underground sewer pipe became exposed and significantly damaged during the February 27^th storms.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

March 13, 2017 (Alpine) -- Alpine’s First Annual Honey Festival, held March 11^th, included teaching youths in their community about the history of their land.  That history includes honey and its production. In fact, this region was once the honey producing capitol of the world! Kids dressed up as bees and participated in an art show that portrayed bees and hives, with major doses of yellow and black.  But teaching kids about their local history was just a part of the festival.

East County News Service

March 10, 2017 (Alpine) - Join the East County Rose Society as they drink tea and discuss Jane Austen's novel, Emma, on April 15 at 2:00 p.m. at the Alpine Library.

Honey Festival coming up this Saturday, March 11

Source: Alpine Chamber of Commerce

Photos by Kathy Foster Photography for the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce

March 7, 2017 (Alpine) -- The first Queen Bee Tea was a honey of a show on March 5 in Alpine.  Almost 100 guests attended the Honey Festival kick-off event, turning the Alpine Community Center at 1830 Alpine Blvd. into a hive of chatter, fanciful bee bonnets, fashion show, free photo booth, opportunity drawings, contests and special vendors. 

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

March 2, 2017 (Alpine) -- If a first responder does not already have Bobbi Brink, co-founder of Lions Tigers & Bears Exotic Animal Rescue Sanctuary in Alpine on speed dial they should consider it.  Why? Brink is accustomed to dealing with exotic animals and if a catastrophic event happens (flooding, wild fires plus).  Brink can show up and help handle the movement of that exotic animal. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Two local school districts in La Mesa and Warner Springs are serving bottled water to students and staff due to water quality concerns.

La Mesa Spring Valley School District announced that it has voluntarily shut down drinking fountains and water used for cooking, while awaiting tests on drinking water quality. Superintendent Brian Marshall says the change is due to an “abundance of caution.”

By Miriam Raftery

February 26, 2017 (Alpine) – Alpnie was once known as the honey production capital of the world.  Now here’s the buzz:  On Saturday, March 11 from 10 to 4, Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce will present the first annual Honey Festival to celebrate the region’s sweet success.

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2017 (Alpine) — The Alpine Sun newspaper celebrated its 65th anniversary on Valentine’s Day.  At Tuesday’s Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce “Hot Topics” breakfast meeting,  the newspaper’s publisher and editor were presented with certificates and plaques  from the offices of Congressman Duncan Hunter,  State Senator Joel Anderson, and Assemblyman Randy Voepel.

East County News Service

February 15, 2017 (Alpine) – Now here’s the buzz! Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce invites you to the Queen Bee Tea on March 5^th at 11:30 in the Alpine Community Center.  Teatime will be presented by Donna Marie’s Tea Time, plus guests will enjoy vendors and a fashion show by Dana’s Boutique.

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2017 (El Cajon) — In a closed-door session Thursday just before the 6 p.m. public meeting, the Grossmont Union High School District Board will discuss ongoing litigation over funds for an Alpine high school in a case filed by Alpine Union School District and Alpine taxpayers,  as well as a new lawsuit filed in January by San Diegans for Open Government alleging campaign violations by the district over school bond Proposition BB.  A conference with labor negotiators is also on the closed-session agenda.

Photo: The winter storms caused damage throughout the County such as flooding and this rockslide on Wynola Road in Julian.

Residents asked to report all storm damage: County has not reached level yet to get help for individuals or businesses

By Michele Clock, County of San Diego Communications

Photo: The winter storms caused damage throughout the County such as flooding and this rockslide on Wynola Road in Julian.

February 5, 2017 (San Diego) --The County of San Diego proclaimed a local emergency Friday, due to damage caused by the severe winter storms that hit the region late last month.