East County News Service

November 28, 2024 (El Cajon) – A 28=year-old El Cajon man has died of injuries sustained in a stabbing that occurred on November 28.  El Cajon Police officers responded to the scene in the 500 block of North Mollison around 6 p.m.and found the victim with a life-threatening stab wound.

Paramedics from Heartland Fire transported the victim to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

The reporting party and another witness were interviewed at the scene. Two men were taken to the El Cajon Police Department for questioning.

East County News Service

November 26, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – This holiday season, you can give the gift of life.  The San Diego Blood Bank is hosting a series of blood drives across East County between December 18 and December 24 in locations including Spring Valley, La Mesa, El Cajon, Lakeside, Alpine and Ramona.  Below are details.

East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Yesterday, sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield was conditionally released from Coalinga State Hospital as a transient.  He has been temporarily placed at a home at 42920 Desert Rose Ranch in Jacumba Hot Springs.

He will have 24-hour supervision by Liberty Healthcare,  a private company contracted by the state. There are several conditions for his release, including that Liberty Healthcare will provide a security employee to accompany Wakefield on a 24 hour a day, 7 days a week basis.

Newly released photo shows Vivian Crowder on day she went missing

East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (La Mesa) – Vivian Crowder, 71, who has dementia, has been missing for four weeks. La Mesa Police have released a photo of Crowder when shew as last seen on Oct. 29 at 12:14 p.m. walking along the shoulder of state route 125 north, near the I-8 overpass. She was wearing a blue denim jacket, headwrap, floral shirt, black stretch pants and turquoise shoes.

California Highway Patrol received a report of a pedestrian on the freeway and checked the area at the time, but did not locate her.  Lieutenant Katy Lynch with La Mesa Police says, “We are hoping that a good Samaritan picked her up and drove her someplace, and if so, we hope they will contact us and let us know where they took her.”

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2024 (El Cajon) – The German-American Societies of San Diego and Dia Rasselbande Preschool invite you to a traditional Christmas Market. This festive event features shopping for handmade gifts, delicious German dishes, holiday beer and Glühwein, choral performances,  kids’ activities, and photos with Santa.

This festive event will be held at the German American Societies’ headquarters at 1017 S. Mollison Avenue in El Cajon on Saturday, December 7 from 2 to 7 p.m. and again on Sunday, December 8 from 2 to 6 p.m.

Recognition highlights the often unspoken, but significant need for compassionate healing and support for those suffering from reproductive grief

East County News Service

November 24, 2024 (La Mesa) -- In recently presenting its more than two dozen "Celebrating Women 2024" awards, San Diego Magazine recognized one individual as "Pioneer of the Year" for her groundbreaking work to support those suffering from the very personal and far-too-often unacknowledged grief that follows reproductive loss. 

Dr. Michaelene Fredenburg, Founder and CEO of Institute of Reproductive Grief Care and long-time La Mesa resident, was honored November 6, following a panel of the magazine's judges reviewing hundreds of Pioneer and Rising Star nominations received in 15 different categories.

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

November 22, 2024 (Alpine) - On Thursday, November 21, around 5:30 p.m., the San Diego County Sheriff's Office was notified by the administration of Shadow Hills Elementary School in Alpine about threats made by two students against a group of students and teachers.

Source: CalFire

November 21, 2024 (San Diego's East County) - - The CAL FIRE San Diego Unit is preparing to conduct prescribed burns across San Diego and Imperial Counties as part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk, enhance ecosystem health, and protect community safety. These projects are planned during carefully selected weather conditions that meet specific safety and ecological parameters.  A controlled burn is being conducted today in the Campo area.

Each prescribed burn project undergoes a comprehensive review to ensure it meets the criteria for environmental benefit, appropriate weather, smoke management, and fire safety. Once a project is approved, trained CAL FIRE personnel will conduct the burns under strict guidelines.

By Miriam Raftery

JulieAnn Chaet with dog, Chloe, in downtown El Cajon

November 20, 2024 (El Cajon) – Members of the El Cajon City Council voiced surprise at Tuesday's meeting to learn that a 1997 ordinance prohibited dogs in the downtown superblock area where popular events are held. So councilmembers voted unanimously to repeal the ban and legalize dog-walking downtown. 

Assistant City Manager Vince DiMaggio explained that the ban was originally approved due to a perception that dogs might pose health hazards and increase maintenance needs.  However, “none of those concerns have materialized,” he said, adding that bringing dogs to public places has since become commonplace, including companion animals as well as service dogs.

“We see dozens of dog walkers daily in Centennial Plaza,” he noted, adding that technically that’s illegal, as is walking dogs in Prescott Promenade and other downtown areas where the public frequently brings dogs on leashes when they dine at outdoor cafes, enjoy outdoor concerts and car shows, or simply exercise their pets along public streets..

Source:  San Diego Watercolor Society

Photo:  "Got My Eye On You” by Dottie Thompson.  Watercolor, 18 x 24".  Image courtesy of San Diego Watercolor Society

November 19, 2024 (Lakeside) - Dottie Thompson, an artist and resident of Lakeside, California, has won the Best of Theme award in the highly competitive November 2024 San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) Member’s gallery exhibition “Evoking Mystery”. Thompson’s painting titled “Got My Eye On You” was selected by prominent local artist Alice Kayuha for this honor, out of 251 entries. Kayuha commented, “This painting fits the Best of Theme because it is really mysterious. When you first look at it, you don’t even realize what it is. Then you look more closely. and you realize that it is an eye, probably of a crocodile or alligator. The reflection really begins to take on the presence of an eye looking at you. So it really has a mystery to it.”

East County News Service

November 17, 2024 (Ramona, CA) – Sheriff’s deputies found the body of an unidentified person, along with two deceased dogs, inside a burned trailer home in Ramona yesterday.

Firefighters responded to the blaze in the 18000 block of Cinnamon Rock Road in Ramona and extinguished the fire, after which deputies from the Ramona substation located the victim and dogs.

East County News Service

November 14, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – A cold storm from the Gulf of Alaska is forecast to bring scattered showers across our region Friday and Saturday, with snow possible in the mountain areas and frost in some areas.

Gusty winds are also forecast, with peak gusts up to 55 miles per hour in mountain and desert areas as early as tonight.

East County News Service

November 13, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of Gregory Moore, 39, who was fatally shot on March 18, 2023 in Lemon Grove. 

East County News Service

November 8, 2024 (La Mesa)  – The La Mesa Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 71-year-old Vivian Crowder, who has been missing for more than a week. Mrs. Crowder was last seen outside a salon in La Mesa around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 though there are unconfirmed sightings elsewhere in the county.

Mrs. Crowder suffers from dementia and does not have her medication with her. She was last seen wearing a beige head wrap, blue denim jacket, blue and brown floral shirt, black stretch pants with rhinestones and turquoise shoes.