East County News Service

September 16, 2024 (La Mesa) – Many restaurants have set up outdoor dining sites since the pandemic. While some cities, such as San Diego, have since imposed barriers to outdoor dining that forced many to shut down, La Mesa aims to streamline the process for new outdoor dining sites to open, while retaining clear paths of travel to businesses. 

On Thursday, Sept. 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the city will host an outreach session on outdoor dining at the La  Mesa Community Center in the Arbor Room, 4975  Memorial Drive, La Mesa.

“We want to hear from you!” A flyer states.  Objectives of the update are:

East County News Service

September 13, 2024 (Ramona) –Yesterday morning before 9 a.m., the Ramona Sheriff's Substation was notified by Olive Pierce Middle School about a threat of a possible school shooting. After an investigation, authorities have concluded the threat was unfounded.

Deputies arrived at the school within minutes. For the safety of students and staff, school administrators made the decision to place the school on a limited lockdown while deputies investigated the incident.    

After a thorough search of the entire campus, deputies did not find anything suspicious at Olive Pierce Middle School. No one was hurt.

Out of an abundance of caution, deputies also conducted security sweeps at Ramona High School and Ramona Community Montessori School and provided extra patrols at all three campuses until the end of the school day.

East County News Service

September 12, 2024 (El Cajon) – The 12^th annual Chaldean-American Festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 14 from 3-10 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 15 from 3 to 9 p.m.  Celebrating the rich culture of the 50,000 Chaldeans who call San Diego County home, the festival includes authentic food, live music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, raffle, vendors and more.

This year’s festival will be held at Hillsdale Middle School, 1301 Brabham St. in El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Yesterday’s sweltering temperatures broke numerous all-time temperatures across our region, as the heat wave continues today with triple-digit  temperatures. New high temperature records for September 8 were set in several local communities, including some that have been keeping track of weather records for over a century:

LOCATION             NEW RECORD         OLD RECORD        PERIOD OF RECORD

ESCONDIDO             109                        104 in 1944              1893

RAMONA                   110                        103 in 2018              1974

ALPINE                      105                        104 in 1984              1951

EL CAJON                 108                        104 in 1984              1899

The highest minimum temperatures on record were also raised. San Diego tied  a record set back in 1875, with the low temperature a balmy 75 degrees. The follow communities also raised the record for highest minimum temperatures:

East County News Service

Update Sesptember 9, 2024:  The victim has been identified as Diego Omar Valera-Trujillo.  A suspect, Joshua Gonzalez, 27, has been arrested near his home on Lincoln Ave. in Lemon Grove. He will be charged with murder.

September 8, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – A 21-year-old  man has died in the hospital after being shot multiple times last night in Lemon Grove.

Sheriff’s deputies were on Lemon Grove Avenue when they heard several gunshots at 11:34 p.m. While checking the business area, they were told that  a group of people were arguing in the 3100 block of  School Lane. Deputies searched the area and found the victim.  They provided medical aid until Heartland Fire Department arrived and transported the victim to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update 5:15 p.m.-- Forward spread has been halted at 65 acres and evacuation orders have been lifted. 

September 7, 2024 (Campo) -- Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for a brush fire burning at Church Road south of the Golden Acorn Casino near Old Hwy 80. The #ChurchFire has potential for 1,000 acres; it has burned 65 acres so far, per Cal Fire.

View an updated evacuation map here:  Genasys Protect  A temporary evacuation center is at the Golden Acorn Casino,1800 Golden Acorn Way in Campo.

By Miriam Raftery

September 6, 2024 (La Mesa) – Caleb Carvalho, 14, was riding his bicycle to school yesterday morning when he was struck and seriously injured by a garbage truck at the intersection of University Avenue and La Mesa Blvd. 

A Go Fund Me site has been set up to help the teen, a freshman and football player at Helix Charter High School, with his medical bills as he faces long road to recovery.

His father, David Carvalho, told NBC 7 that Caleb’s pelvis was broken on both front and back. Currently hospitalized, Caleb will need rehabilitation and costly medical treatments. 

Caleb was in the bicycle lane but the trash truck driver didn’t see him, running over Caleb as the truck pulled into a driveway.

East County News Service

September 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will host “Politics in Paradise” on Friday, Sept.20 from  5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego.

Candidates are invited to sign up and participate. Candidates can share their platform and discuss topics with both Chamber members and guests, give a one-minute speech,invite attendees to engage one-on-one questions and answers, bring a table with campaign materials, and solicit fundraising. Candidates must complete this candidate form.

The public is invited to attend and learn more about the people running for local offices seeking to represent East County residents.

East County News Service

September 1, 2024 (Julian) – Doff your shoes and toast to a fall tradition at the 27^th annual Julian Grape Stomp Festa.  This juicy event will be held on Saturday, September 7 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at  Menghini Winery,1150Julian Orchards Drive in Julian.

In addition to stomping grapes in the Italian old world tradition, you can savor winetasting from several local wineries, enjoy beer and hard cider tastings, live music, food vendors, shop for merchandise, play corn hole, let the kids play games and jump in a bounce house, and take home a souvenir wine glass. Inspired by the famous “I Love Lucy” grape-stomping episode, there wll also be a Lucy look alike contest with a $100 prize.