Rural communities

EVACUATIONS AS HOMES THREATENED BY FIRE BURNING NEAR BARRETT JUNCTION TOWARD POTRERO

 

Update 5:07 p.m. -- The fire has swelled to 1,400 acres, per Cal Fire.  Camp Lockett in Campo is now accepting large animals from the fire.  There are 2 evacuation centers - Jamul Casino and Camp Lockett. Do NOT go to Potrero County Park announced earlier.  Coyote Holler is now being evacuated due to shifting winds, a resident has informed ECM.

Update 4:20 p.m. -- A VLAT (very large air tanker) has been ordered.  Resources are requested from as far away as Arizona.

Update 3:45 p.m. -- Cal Fire reports the fire has burned 100 to 150 acres and destroyed a structure; it is spreading at a critical rate of speed.

Evacuation centers are being set up at Jamul Casino; if you cannot safely reach there, an alternative evacuation point is at Potrero County Park (24800 Potrero Park Dr.) in Potrero.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

August 31, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) Cal Fire is at the scene of a vegetation fire near Highway 94 and Barrett Lake Road. The #Border32Fire is 30 acres with immediate structure threat, burning eastward. A type 1 strike team has been requested to be dispatched to Potrero, scanner traffic indicates.

The California Highway Patrol is shutting down State Route 94 between Marron Valley and State Route 188.

Cal Fire urges people to evacuated from the followin areas (map updateed 4:20 p.m.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR SPRING VALLEY SHOOTING; WEAPONS SEIZED

East County News Service

August 31, 2022 (Lakeside) – A suspected gang-related shooting in Spring Valley on August 18 led SWAT teams to search homes in Lakeside and Santee todayThe search found a stash of weapons and resulted in arrests of four individuals.


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SPRING VALLEY HOMICIDE VICTIM IDENTIFIED

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2022 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified a man who was fatally shot on August 16 shortly before 9:30 p.m.near Jamacha Blvd. and Thayer Drive. The victim is Jorkim Rose, 32.


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: SUNBURST AFTER THE STORM

East County News Service

August 24, 2022 (Pine Valley) – Victoria Casteel captured this heavenly image of the sun’s rays radiating through clouds after this evening’s storm in Pine Valley.


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BARKS ‘N BLUES CONCERT AUG. 25 BENEFITS LITTLE ANGELS, BRINGING BIG CHANGES TO PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM SEIZURES AND OTHER DISABILITIES

Facility trains therapy dogs for people with epilepsy, autism, hearing impairments, physical and mental disabilities

By Henri Migala

 

August 23, 2022 (Jamul) -- Little Angels Service Dogs, an Assistance Dogs International (A.D.I.) accredited organization based in East County, is entering into a creative and exciting two-year partnership with San Diego-based Neurelis to help people suffering from epileptic seizures obtain life-changing companionship and other benefits provided by service dogs specially trained to care for people suffering from epilepsy.


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CANDIDATES TO CONSTITUENTS TOWNHALL SEPTEMBER 18 IN ALPINE

East County News Service

August 10, 2022 (Alpine) – Voters are invited to a “Candidates to Constituents Town Hall” on Sunday, September 18th, 2022 at the Alpine Community Center from 1 to 4 p.m. Doors open at 12:45 p.m. Food and beverage provided. The event is hosted by Alpine resident Anne Tillmond and features local, state & federal candidates Barbara Bry, Steven Houlahan, Joseph Rocha as well as special guest candidate for S.D. County Superior Court Seat 36, Commissioner Peter Singer.

Below is information on the candidates featured, provided by Tillmond:


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MAN DIES AFTER SHOOTING IN SPRING VALLEY

East County News Service

August 17, 2022 (Spring Valley) – A 32-year-old man has died after being shot in the upper torso last night. 

Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of gunshots at 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Jamacha Blvd. and Thayer Drive in Spring Valley.  They found the victim and provided emergency treatment in an effort to save his life until paramedics arrived and transported the man to a local hospital, where he died.


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SPRING VALLEY NATIVE AWARDED MILITARY OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDAL

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Skyler Okerman, USS Constitution Public Affairs

August 1, 2022 (Spring Valley) - Chief Petty Officer Elliott Fabrizio, a Spring Valley, California native, was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal aboard USS Constitution, July 28. Fabrizio currently serves as a mass communication specialist. 


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MOTORIST DIES AFTER STRIKING TRUCK STOPPED ON FREEWAY SHOULDER

East County News Service

July 31, 2022 (Spring Valley) – A San Diego man, 27, was killed after his black Toyota sedan veered out of traffic lanes and hit a white box truck parked on the shoulder of I-15 northbound, near Friar’s Road.  The driver of the white box truck, a 25-year-old Spring Valley man, had stopped due to a flat tire. He was standing on the shoulder and suffered injuries after the collision pushed the truck against him Friday around 1:09 a.m.


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SAPS AT SEA PRESENT 'CAVEMAN COMEDIES' AUGUST 13

East County News Service

July 27, 2022 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel & Hardy fan organization, will host their August gathering, "Caveman Comedies", on August 13 at 7 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Church in Spring Valley.


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BABS FRY, FINDER OF LOST PETS, NEEDS HELP TO REPLACE VAN DESTROYED IN CRASH

Volunteers also needed to help animals at Fry’s nonprofit, A Way Home For Dogs

By Karen Pearlman

Photo:  Babs Fry and a rescued dog relax in a 2020 photo near Fry's van that recently was totaled. Fry is hoping for volunteers to step up and help out while her team is looking to raise money to replace the van.  Photo courtesy of Babs Fry

July 23, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- Babs Fry is the one who gets the call from a frantic pet owner when a cat or dog goes missing, the one the California Highway Patrol calls when someone's pet is found wandering on a freeway.


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GO FUND ME PAGE STARTED TO HELP FAMILY OF ALPINE MOM KILLED IN CRASH: FAMILY SEEKS GOOD SAMARITANS WHO RESCUED DAUGHTERS

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Denise Thomas Photography, courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

July 19, 2022 (Alpine) – Bonnie Baum Roth, 35, was taking her young daughters to a dance competition in Long Beach on Friday when she lost control of her SUV, which plummeted down an embankment on I-8 near Alpine. She was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol.


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SAN DIEGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IS CONSIDERING OPENING 160 ACRES NEAR OTAY LAKES TO HUNTING; SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENTS

Deadline for public comments in August 8

By Henri Migala

Photo: mule deer buck by Debbie Merrill

July 17, 2022 (San Diego) -- The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge is seeking public comment on their proposed plan to open 160 acres of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge to hunting. Hunting would be allowed only in the Otay Mesa and Lakes Management Area of the refuge (near Otay Lakes).


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WOMAN KILLED, CHILDREN INJURED IN ALPINE CRASH

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by:  Adriana Martinez 

July 15, 2022 (Alpine) – A Lakeside woman, 35, died at the scene of a collision this morning on Interstate 8-west in Alpine. Two children, ages 3 and 9, in her vehicle sustained moderate injuries, says Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol.


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SR-188 LANE CLOSURES TO TECATE BORDER BEGIN SUNDAY

Motorists advised to allow additional travel time for one-way traffic control

Source:  Caltrans

July 14, 2022 (San Diego) - Maintenance crews will close northbound State Route 188 (SR-188) from the U.S./Mexico Border to State Route 94 (SR-94) Sunday 7 p.m. through Monday 5 a.m. for pavement work, according to Caltrans.


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NEW FIRE STATION IN EAST OTAY MESA WILL SERVE FAST-GROWING BORDER AREA

 

East County News Service

County News Service contributed to this report

Video by José Eli Villanueva

July 12, 2022 (Otay Mesa) – Numerous fires have started in recent years along the international border in the Otay area of San Diego County. On Tuesday, the San Diego County Fire Protection District broke ground on Fire Station 38 in East Otay Mesa. Once built, the station will serve a rapidly developing area which includes warehouses, transport businesses, two power plants and a battery facility. Crews housed there will also respond to calls on roads and highways in the area carrying traffic crossing the U.S. and Mexico border.


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EVACUATION WARNINGS IN DEHESA DUE TO HARBISON FIRE

 

 

Update 9:05 p.m.  -- Evacuation warnings have been lifted, the County Office of Emergency Services reports.

East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts

Video by Joe Dyke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSxmnewoRkI

July 12, 2022 (Dehesa) -- The #HarbisonFire burning in Dehesa has prompted evacuation warnings along Sycuan Oaks Drive, Vista De La Montana, and Trafalgar Road.  A warnings is to allow vulnerable people (such as those with disabilities or large animals) to leave in advance of an evacuation order.  A temporary evacuation point is at Sycuan Market, 4915 Dehesa Rd., El CAjon.

Harbison Canyon Road is closed between Dehesa Rd. and Crest Blvd.  

Forward spread of the fire has been stopped. Cal Fire reports 37 acres have burned.  


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MISSING WOMAN AT RISK NEAR JAMUL

By Miriam Raftery

July 1, 2022 (Jamul) – San Diego Police seeks public help to find Norma Hernandez,  On Monday afternoon, June 27, she told family she became separated from a group traveling north on foot. She was last known to be in an area southwest of Dulzura. Her cell phone’s last location was in the vicinity of Jamul on June 30.

  ·Attempts to locate her have not been successful thus far. Due to possible exposure to the elements, Hernandez is considered at risk.

Hernandez is described as a 50-year-old Hispanic female with brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a dark shirt and camouflage pants, about 5’5”, and weighing about 180 lbs. She speaks both English and Spanish.


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POWER OUTAGES LEAVE EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS IN THE DARK

East County News Service

June 29, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- SDG&E estimates that power will be out until midnight for 190 customers who lost power at 9:21 p.m. The areas without power are in Casa De Oro/ Rancho San Diego/ Jamacha/ W Jamul/ Indian Springs/ La Presa/ Spring Valley/ Rancho San Diego/ El Cajon/ Granite Hills/ Singing Hills/Mt. Helix.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: LIGHTNING STORM

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2022 (Mt. Helix) -- Amy Payton took these dramatic images during last night's thunderstorm from her porch in Spring Valley overlooking state route 94 at Calavo.

Her photos show some spectacular lightning strikes over Mt. Helix in San Diego's East County.


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MULTIPLE SMALL BRUSH FIRES

June 22, 2022 (San Diego's East County) -- Several small brush fires have ignited late this afternoon in East County and San Diego's inland areas, including blazes in McCain Valley near Boulevard, Borrego Springs, and Highland Valley near Ramona and Escondido. Firefighters have contained an earlier blaze near the border.

Here are details on the fires:


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ACCESS TO LAKESIDE RECREATION AT LOVELAND AT RISK AS SWEETWATER AUTHORITY CONTINUES TO LOWER WATER LEVEL

By Elijah McKee 

June 22, 2022 (Alpine) — On the outskirts of Alpine lies something rare in East County — an exceptional opportunity for fishing and other recreation on land that is free to access through an arrangement with the U.S. Forest Service. 


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CAMPO DAY BRINGS WESTERN HISTORY TO LIFE

 

By Kylie Dees

View video: Click Youtube image at left, or visit https://youtu.be/1WHC0JjAu84

June 21, 2022 (Campo) – Campo, an unincorporated community in the Mountain Empire area of southeastern San Diego County, is striving to keep its Wild West heritage alive. The town has a rich history that includes railway lore, cowboys, a former cavalry fort, and a notorious gunfight. Earlier this month, the community revived its signature annual event. 


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SUPERVISORS MOVE FORWARD ON CANNABIS TAX INITIATIVE AND SAFETY MEASURES FOR UNINCORPORATED AREAS

By Henri Migala and Miriam Raftery

June 20, 2022 (San Diego) – San Diego County Supervisors on June 15 approved a draft resolution for a ballot initiative to tax cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas.  The measure will still need final board approval on June 28 before going before the voters on the November ballot.

Supervisors also voted to have staff report back on a proposal by Supervisor Joel Anderson aimed at reducing disproportionate impacts on unincorporated communities through 16 measures that would enhance public safety, limit locations of cannabis businesses, require education on cannabis negative impacts and drug interactions, and require funds from a cannabis tax be used to benefit communities.


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BOARD VOTES TO OVERSEE GRANT PROGRAM TO HARDEN HOMES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  County Fire inspectors examine a home's exterior looking for fire vulnerabilities.

June 14, 2022 (San Diego) - The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to establish a Home Hardening Program as part of a state pilot program to encourage homeowners to create fire-resistant homes.


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NEW BORDER FIRE AT MARRON VALLEY SWELLS TO 350 ACRES

June 13, 2022 (Barrett Junction ) -- The #Border13Fire east of Marron Valley Road has swelled to 350 acres and is 0% contained, growing swiftly from when it was reported two hours ago at just 30 acres, Cal Fire tweeted. This is a separate fire from the nearby Barrett Fire reported earlier.

 Multiple patients have been rescued from the fire area, Cal Fire reports.


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BARRETT JUNCTION FIRE NEARS STRUCTURES

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, right, by Connie Kirkpatrick

June 13, 2022 (Barrett Junction) – The #BarrettFire burning near Dulzura has scorched 65 acres and is 25% contained. There are no evacuation orders or warnings.  While no structures are immediately threatened, roughly 16 structures are being “evaluated for future risk,” according to Cal Fire’s Twitter feed.


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MUSIC STARS TO SHINE AT VIEJAS CONCERTS IN THE PARK

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

June 12, 2022 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino & Resort has some hot summer nights entertainment lined up at its outdoor Park at Viejas.

The lineup includes some legendary names in rock and roll including Jefferson Starship and Blue Oyster Cult, as well as new wave music by Berlin, a Latino music and dance night with Los Bonadadosos and E Nuevo Acapulco, R&B with En Vogue, and country music singer Billy Currington.

Below is the schedule of events:


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SPRING VALLEY TEEN MUSICIAN BAXTER SIMPSON TO PERFORM AT COUNTY FAIR JUNE 17

By Scott Simpson 

June 8, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County teen musician Baxter Simpson is one of the primetime acts scheduled for June 17th at this year's San Diego County Fair. Simpson will perform his mix of rock and pop from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the Garden Show Stage.  


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HEAT WAVE, FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY

East County News Service

June 8, 2022 (San Diego) – A significant warming trend brings a heat wave to our region starting today through the weekend, along with elevated fire weather conditions due to heat and very low humidity. Winds with gusts up to 50 miles per hour over the mountains and deserts on Sunday will exacerbate wildfire dangers, the National Weather Service predicts.

Temperatures in the deserts could reach 110 to 115 degrees. Those without air conditioning, adequate hydration or who are engaged in strenuous outdoor activities will be at risk due to the high heat. Even nights will be warm, with low temperatures in the 80s.


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