East County News Service

May 31, 2016 (Julian) – You’re invited to grab your partner and mosey on up to Julian for the annual Julian Dance and Back Country Barbecue on Saturday, June 11^th from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

East County News Service

May 30, 2016 (Ramona) -- Travelers on State Route 67 in the community of Ramona are alerted that construction activities will begin Thursday at the intersection at Dye and Highland Valley roads, according to Caltrans.  Crews will begin placing construction signs and marking underground utilities.

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Alpine) – The largest roller skating rink in Southern California will open this Saturday and remain open daily May 28 through September 5 at the Viejas Outlets in Alpine.

East County News Service

May 25, 2016 (Alpine) - Alpine Business Networking Association (ABNA) is holding a Garden Party Mixer on Thursday, June 9th at 5:30 p.m. at Alpine Garden & Gifts located at 2442 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. The evening’s highlights will include a delicious barbeque dinner and speakers Kathy Matranga (water-wise plant suggestions and grass replacement) and Frank Sturniolo (“Reach for Life”).

East County News Service

May 20, 2016 (Alpine) -- Lisa Timanus from Alpine had a chance to “Come on Down” and win a sensational selection of prize.  She will be appearing on The Price Is Right primetime special Big Brother edition airing on Tuesday, May 24^th at 8 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.  The outcome is a secret—you’ll have to watch to find out how she fares.

By Miriam Raftery

May 16, 2016 (Ramona) – The Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural project has already brought seven beautiful murals commemorating Ramona’s history to this town nestled in the mountains of San Diego’s East County.  Soon, two more murals of epic significance will be on display, thanks to a recent vote by Ramona’s Design Review Board approving the projects.

East County News Service

May 13, 2016 (Warner Springs) – A motorcyclist who crossed the double yellow line as he approached a curve on State Route 79 in Warner Springs on Wednesday struck a motor home driven by a man from Germany.

Updated May 11: Plaintiffs issue statement saying they will appeal the ruling.

By Miriam Raftery

May 6, 2016 (Alpine) – A preliminary ruling by Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman would set aside a preliminary injunction against the Grossmont District. If the ruling stands, it will allow Grossmont to keep $42 million that had been set aside for an Alpine High School that the district never built. The money is a portion of bond measure funds approved by voters in part for the long-promised school.

The suit was filed by the Alpine Union School District and Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability. The groups have 15 days to file an appeal.

East County News Service

May 5, 2016 (Alpine) - The Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber’s “Hot Topics” breakfast will be at Mike Place, 1602 Alpine Blvd. on May 10^th at 7:15 a.m.  This month’s breakfast features two speakers: Christine Connell with the Alpine Library Friends Association and Jefferson Baker, the Acting Branch Manager of the Alpine Library. 

East County News Service

May 3, 2016 (Warner Springs) – Extensive vandalism forced closure today of the entire Warner Unified School District complex, which includes elementary through high school classrooms as well as district offices.  The district's website states it hopes to reopen soon and will notify parents when children can return to school.

A maintenance worker arriving at work Wednesday morning discovered the damage, which included graffiti, broken windows, classrooms ransacked, furniture overturned and fire extinguishers discharged.  The worker called  Sheriff’s deputies at 5:15 a.m.

East County News Service

April 29, 2016 (Ramona) – The Ramona Rodeo takes play May 19-22, along with other activities including a parade down Main Street on the 21^st and dancing to the country band Patrick Howard Trampus on the 20^th and 21^st after the rodeo.  There’s also a free slack rodeo performance on the 19^th, as well as a kids day on the 22^nd featuring the youngest cowboys and cowgirls riding sheep in the mutton bustin’ competition.

 Adult rodeo events include bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, a tie-down competition, steer wrestling and more. Winners may advance to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association national rodeo championship.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Alpine) – You’re invited to a party complete with a rib eye steak dinner, art show, live jazz, blues and swing music by Chet and the Committee—all to benefit revitalization of the Alpine Community Center, which needs help to keep its doors open.

East County News Service

April 23, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – On Wednesday, April 27, Supervisors will consider two versions of proposed changes to the tiered winery ordinance, as ECM reported. Ramona winemakers have raised serious concerns over a version proposed by county staff that differs from the version approved by the County Planning Commission. 

Update April 23, 2016:  County staff has responded to ECM questions on this issue.  View their response here.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Elaine Lyttle, Hatfield Creek Winery & Vineyard, says the county's "priorites are wrong" and faults excessive regulations for stifling her award-winning winery in Ramona.

April 20,2016 (Ramona) –  Leaders in Ramona’s burgeoning wine industry warn in correspondence to Supervisors that Ramona’s wine industry could die on the vine as a result of changes proposed to the County’s Boutique and Small Wineries Regulations.

 The changes are set for hearing by Supervisors on Wednesday, April 27 at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Center (Room310, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego).  View agenda and hearing announcement. 

Two versions of the ordinance will be up for consideration, one approved by the Planning Commission, the other a recommendation by staff of Planning & Development Services. One important note: legal challenges may be limited only to issues raised at a public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the hearing body at or before the hearing, according to the hearing notice.

East County News Service

April 20, 2016 (Ramona) -- Eight winery members of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) received a total of 25 medals from the annual, largest-ever New York Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, known as the biggest charitable wine competition. This year’s event reviewed a total number of entries of 3,827 wines from more than 900 wineries in all 50 states, six Canadian provinces, and 26 different nations.