September 8, 2023 (Lake Henshaw) -- A 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck inland North County last night at approximately 10:59 p.m. reports the United States Geological Survey.12
Search Search | East County Magazine Earthquake safety for tips in case this is a pre-shock to something worse to come within the next days or week.
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September 7, 2023 (El Cajon) – A naked man on methamphetamines walked into an apartment in the 1000 block of Redwood Avenue in El Cajon around 5:30 a.m. on Monday. A young woman and several children, her siblings, were sleeping when the man walked into the children’s room.
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September 7, 2023 (Mount Laguna, Calif.) -- A deer mouse collected near Mount Laguna on Aug. 24 during routine monitoring has tested positive for hantavirus.
Hantavirus in wild rodents is relatively common in San Diego County. This is the seventh routine detection of hantavirus in the region for calendar year 2023. However, because wild rodents naturally avoid people, human exposure to the virus is rare. Still, County officials advise people should be careful around wild rodents as there is no cure or vaccine for hantavirus.
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Photos from Branda Gorgies, Brenda Ramirez and Creative Commons via Google Images
September 6, 2023 (Spring Valley) - Teachers at Steele Canyon High School, a charter school in the Grossmont Union High School District, are seeking a salary increase because many of them feel they’re not being paid a competitive salary. On August 16, at the high school’s library, Steele Canyon’s independent governing board held a meeting with public comment from five teachers. On Monday this week, students held a walkout to show support for the teachers.
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September 5, 2023 (Ramona) – A head-on crash in Ramona early yesterday morning proved deadly for one driver, but the other survived with non-threatening injuries. Both young drivers were residents of Ramona. The difference? The motorist who survived was wearing a seatbelt, while the other was not.
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September 3, 2023 (El Cajon) – Cameras in public are being used in El Cajon successfully to capture criminals, from car thieves to suspects in violent crimes. But some have raised concerns about privacy. Along with concerned community members, some lawmakers and lawyers are claiming that the police department is illegally sharing private license plate data.
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September 3, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Galleries and businesses in downtown El Cajon invite you to the 12th Annual Alley Cat Art Walk, on Friday September 15 from 4-8 pm.
Visitors can see fine art, a juried art show, crafts, giftware, live music, and refreshments. The event is open to the community.
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By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
September 3, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove’s main business corridor on Broadway is the center of commerce, but the physical environment of the area is suffering. Community leaders recently took to the streets to conduct a comprehensive assessment of their neighborhood along Broadway. It was an inspiring display of community engagement and commitment to positive change to shed light on issues like drug and alcohol harm, blight, walkability, and other areas needing of improvement. This June walk on a Saturday morning reflects the strong sense of community among Lemon Grove's residents and underscores the urgency to address pressing concerns through collaborative efforts.
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Photo: La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney (right) succeeded Walt Vasquez (center) and Matt Nicholass in July 2021. Photo via Twitter
September 3, 2023 (La Mesa) - The announcement came Monday in Facebook.
“Join us Thursday at 10am for presentation and discussion about La Mesa community policing in three years since the rioting and looting of May 2020,” said the illustrated flier appearing in several La Mesa groups.
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By: Tracy Defore, County of San Diego Communications Office
Photo: Doaa Polus, seen pointing to her map, votes for 3 new parks just north of I-8 in the vicinity of First Street
September 3, 2023 (San Diego) -- The County is looking for input on projects covering a wide range of priorities that may affect you, your neighborhood or the region at large.
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September 2, 2023 (El Cajon) – The German-American Societies of San Diego will host two weekends of Oktoberfest at their El Cajon headquarters: Sept. 29-Oct. 1 and Oct. 6-8.
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September 2, 2023 (La Mesa) — From Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, La Mesa Oktoberfest will be celebrating 50 years of Bavarian festivities in an effort to top its traditions for the past half-century.
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September 1, 2023 (Lakeside) - For week three, ECM Sports headed out to Lakeside, where the Vaqueros of El Capitan host the Vikings of La Jolla for their last non-conference matchup on Military Night at El Cap. The black and gold are off to a hot start in 2023 with a 2-0 record.
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September 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Undercover officers with the San Diego Regional Auto Theft Task Force infiltrated organized auto theft rings locally, says CHP Captain Charles Leonard. Through a sting operation at a storefront in East County, suspects were caught on video selling stolen vehicles, guns, ammunition and narcotic drugs to undercover detectives.
On August 31, the task force announced that Operation Sunrise has resulted in recovery of stolen vehicles worth an estimated $3.3 million. Fifty suspects have been indicted on crimes including auto theft, identity theft, illegal firearms possession and selling drugs. Officers also seized narcotics and 14 firearms, including several untraceable and illegal ghost guns.
La Mesa Police Chief Ray Sweeney, who serves as the task force's Executive Chair, said cracking down on auto thefts is important because stolen cars are often used to commit other crimes, 10 News reports.
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September 1, 2023 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Department is crediting newly installed automated license plate reading (ALPR) cameras with solving three crimes in three days, according to Lieutenant Jeremiah Larson. The Flock Safety technology sends ECPD real-time crime alerts when a stolen vehicle, or known wanted vehicle, from a state or national database is detected locally.
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September 1, 2023 (Santee) -- The owner of the Santee Drive-In Theater said the outdoor movie complex that opened in 1958 will shut down in January. In a press statement, Susan Boyd, a member of the Forte Family, said the business “is no longer economically viable.”
“We are facing loss of customers, higher costs, equipment obsolescence, competition from streaming services, and the inability to show some of the newly released films. Like movie theaters across the country, we can’t afford to stay open,” she said.
Instead of letting the property sit vacant, the family selected North Palisade Partners of Los Angeles as buyers in a sale that’s expected to occur in 2024, according to the recent press statement.
Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
September 1, 2023 (La Mesa) - "Silence is rest for the mind," says Masha - a thought that rings true when pondered upon. With any kind of sound, your mind engages in interpretation. Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa is currently staging the uplifting comedy, "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike." For years, I resisted watching this play due to its seemingly unappealing title. I stand corrected. This production turned out to be uproariously funny and while San Diego hosts numerous humorous shows, not many prompt genuine, laugh-out-loud reactions. "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" is an exception.
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August 31, 2023 (Alpine)— Last Thursday, residents came to the Alpine Community Planning Group to hear about the U.S. Forestry Service’s wildfire protection efforts in Alpine anddiscuss the easement agreement between the Forestry department and the Sweetwater Water Authority (SWA). Residents want to see fish restocked and reservoir gates opened from sunrise to sunset at Loveland Reservoir, according to the easement deed.
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August 31, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – Yesterday the Lemon Grove Pickleball and Social Club attended the annual joint meeting between the city council and school board. The group of pickleballers came in energetic and excited to promote a healthy lifestyle and neighborhood unity through America’s fastest growing sport.
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August 31, 2023 (La Mesa) - On August 26, 2023, the La Mesa Police Department held a DUI Checkpoint in the 4900 block of Spring Street. During the checkpoint, which lasted from 7:00 p.m. until 12:30 a.m., 752 vehicles were contacted. Two drivers were arrested for driving under the influence (suspected alcohol and/or drugs) and nine drivers were evaluated for impairment in the secondary screening.
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Update: This event has been rescheduled for Sunday, Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. due to Hurricane Hilary, which is forecast to drop 12 inches of rain this weekend in the mountains. Stay safe and let us know if you are able to attend on Sept. 3!
By Miriam Raftery
August 4, 2023 (Julian) – Please join us to support the East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts and East County Magazine reporting at our next East County Dining Club Event! We’ll be savoring a delicious vegan feast on Sunday, August 20 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the brand new Kail’s Garden Café and Juice Bar, 1921 Main Street in Julian.
Please RSVP by Aug.17 by sending your name, the number in your party, and your entrée choices to: editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Questions? Call 619-698-7617.
Feast your eyes on the menu choices below (entrees pictured at left):
Special menu entrée options:
1: Pineapple, cranberry and walnut salad, eggplant/spinach lasagna
3. Garlic edamame, Yakisoba noodles with tofu, red bell peppers, broccoli
4. Jackfruit burger with vegan fries
Dessert: Vegan cheesecake or ube (purple yam) cheesecake
Win prizes! Thanks to our raffle prize donors: Kali’s Garden, Menghini Winery, Cedar Rio, Purple Owl Café, Jeremy’s on the Hill, Faith’s Embroidery/Julian Toy Chest, Julian Café & Bakery, Julian Mercantile, Zen Mountain Yoga, Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, and more!
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August 30, 2023 (Santee) -- Santee’s City Council approved a series of two-year pay hikes for its unionized firefighters, and then gave all its employees, including themselves, raises for the next two years. All totaled, the salary raises approved at the August 23 Council meeting will mean the city’s amended 2023-24 budget increased by about $967,000, which will be funded from the budget’s reserves.
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August 29, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Over Labor Day weekend on September 2, Jacumba Hot Springs celebrates its wild sunflowers -- cheerful survivors of a challenging high desert clime - with a friendly Pop-Up Art Show, Nature Photography Exhibit and its monthly Bathhouse Bazaar.
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August 29, 2023 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service has extended the Excessive Heat Warning for the San Diego County deserts, mountains and valleys through Wednesday, August 30, at 8 p.m.. Temperatures will reach 110 to 117 degrees in the deserts, 95 to 107 in the valleys, and 90 to 100 in the mountains.
The San Diego County Department of Emergency Services advises:
Stay inside or shaded areas. Drink lots of water.
If you feel sick from the heat, call 9-1-1.
Never leave young children or pets alone in vehicles.
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August 29, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Maybe you've been waiting for it too, the rebirth of this cultural landmark in the high desert backcountry, a historic health destination for Hollywood luminaries and international visitors. After years of planning and rebuilding, Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel is open again, and the little town of Jacumba Hot Springs is breathing a sigh of relief.
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August 29, 2023 (Poway) -- The Poway Chamber of Commerce will host it’s annual Pre-Rodeo Mixer on Thursday, September 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Pedder CDJ&R (13811 Poway Rd.), Poway.
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Photo: Shelter Valley Community Center Board President Steve Bassett inspects installation at Shelter Valley Community Center site.
Connected devices such as energy storage and smart thermostats centrally managed to reduce demand on the grid
August 28, 2023 (San Diego) – As extreme heat records fall across the West and strain the power grid, San Diego Gas & Electric is piloting a new cleantech innovation known as a virtual power plant (VPP) to reduce energy demand and put electricity back on the grid during peak hours – all through leveraging the capabilities of customer-owned smart thermostats, rooftop solar, energy storage and other connected resources such as water pumps.
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If you find yourself craving a ceramic bird whistle, a new painting, zucchini plants or luffa sponges, you’re likely to find them at the Bathhouse Bazaar.
By Rebecca Person
August 28, 2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs) - High desert heat, the cold, the wind - the threat of a category 2 hurricane - the elements have not diminished interest in Jacumba’s lively backcountry street market, The Bathhouse Bazaar, now in its 3rd year.
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Judge denies couple’s request to delay sentencing, after they claimed air travel was unsafe for Jessica Kalasho due to pregnancy
By Miriam Raftery
File photo of Ben and Jessica Kalasho at a prior hearing
August 26, 2023 (San Diego) – Former El Cajon Councilman Bessmon “Ben” Kalasho and his wife, Jessica have been found guilty on four counts each of contempt of court in a civil defamation case won by attorney Lina Charry.
They have been ordered to report to San Diego Superior Court on September 1 to being serving an eight-day jail sentence, as well as pay fines of $1,000 apiece for each count.
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August 4, 2023 (Lakeside) — A body found in a makeshift encampment near El Capitan in Lakeside has been identified as Marsha Woods, 48, the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office told East County Magazine.
Her body was found in a riverbed area near Mapleview Street and state Route 67 in Lakeside about 8:30 a.m. on August 3, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
This reporter visited the encampment on August 19, where a camp resident named Christian (who did not provide his last name) said he was in a relationship with Woods. He said he found Woods unresponsive, became scared and called the Sheriff’s department. She was deceased when first responders arrived.
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East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
By 
By Branda Gorgies
By Miriam Raftery
By Branda Gorgies
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By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
Story and photos by Liz Alper
By Miriam Raftery
By Kathy Carpenter 
Yesterday the 
Source: City of La Mesa
By Mike Allen
By Rebecca Person
August 29, 2023 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service has extended the Excessive Heat Warning for the San Diego County deserts, mountains and valleys through Wednesday, August 30, at 8 p.m.. Temperatures will reach 110 to 117 degrees in the deserts, 95 to 107 in the valleys, and 90 to 100 in the mountains.
By Rebecca Person
Source: SDG&E
If you find yourself craving a ceramic bird whistle, a new painting, zucchini plants or luffa sponges, you’re likely to find them at the Bathhouse Bazaar.
By Miriam Raftery
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