East County News Service

Shows held June 23, July 28 and August 25

June 1, 2017 (Lemon Grove)—Muevete Dance Studio in Lemon Grove (3338 Main St.) presents  a Zapateados “fundraiser” on the fourth Friday each month from June through August. These events showcase dance styles from various regions in Mexico,  showcasing talented dancers from Ballet Folklorico en Aztlan.  All shows are free, starting at 7 pm.

East County News Service

May 31, 2017 (Santee) — The Santee Sheriff’s station will host a coffee with the community on Monday, June 12 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cameron Family YMCA pool deck, 10123 Riverwalk Drive in Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

May 31, 2017 (Lakeside) – California Highway Patrol’s El Cajon office is seeking witnesses to help find two drivers who fled the scene after striking and seriously injuring a 29-year-old woman who was standing in traffic lanes.

By Jonathan Goetz

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

May 30, 2017 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s City Council had a packed agenda Wednesday at its 3 p.m. meeting, taking actions including:

• Voting 5-0 to put an item on an upcoming agenda to have staff prepare a report on feasibility of hiring a Crisis House “homeless navigator” expert to match unique needs of homeless people with private and public programs to help house the homeless;  
• Voting 4-1 to hold two town hall meetings annually to allow residents to propose agenda items and for Council to set agenda priorities;
• Heard a report from the County Water Authority claiming Metropolitan Water has been squandering funds and overcharging ratepayers;
• Honoring participants and supporters of America on Main Street;
• Presented awards to local youths and Friends of East County Arts contest winners
• Praised a resident for using a drone to get evidence of an illegal marijuana dispensary.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos:  Norm Case examines Civil War drum played at the Battle of Shiloh  (photo, left) by his ancestor, Philo L. Case (photo, right)

May 28, 2017 (Ramona)--Philo Case, a drummer in the Union Army, played the long roll that called troops to arms during the battle of Shiloh, one of the bloodiest conflicts in the Civil War.  This Memorial Day weekend, his drum is on display at Hatfield Creek Winery in Ramona at 2 p.m. each day. 

Norm Case, Philo's descendent, shared the amazing history handed down through his family -- a tale that includes not only Civil War stories, but also a mystery involving another branch of his family tree that includes the niece of John Wilkes Booth.  Case says she's told him her family has kept a secret for generations--claiming her uncle came to Yakima, Washington and asked that his presence be kept secret -- after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo of Gate Fire, courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

May 28, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Aiming to prevent more wildfires, the federal Bureau of Land Management yesterday announced a ban on target shooting, campfires and other high-fire risk activities by issuing State III fire restrictions for all BLM-managed public lands in San Diego County and other Southern California areas.

By Councilman Steve Goble

May 27, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Renewal (noun). The act of making new again or state of being renewed.  It’s what is happening in El Cajon right now.

For the past few years, the City has been diligently working on creating a new atmosphere, a new vibe, a welcoming spirit for businesses, visitors, and our residents.

By Miriam Raftery

May 26, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- Sheriff's deputies arrested a 14-year-old Steele Canyon High School student last night who threatened another Steele Canyon student via social media. The student posted a picture on Snap Chat of himself carrying what appeared to be a handgun and told the victim not to show up today for school at the campus in Spring Valley.

East County News Service

May 26, 2017 (La Mesa) - Lamplighters has been entertaining La Mesa and its surrounding communities since 1937.  On Sunday, June 11, they're inviting you to celebrate their 80th anniversary with a gala from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Women's Club.

By Jonathan Goetz; Miriam Raftery also contributed to this article

May 26, 2017 (El Cajon) – Following a lively public hearing on drawing up city council district lines to comply with Voting Rights Act requirements aimed at increasing minority representation,  El Cajon’s City council voted 3-2 to adopt  Paul Circo’s map PCirco1 for council district elections. 

Councilman Ben Kalasho,  a Chaldean-American and the only minority on the Council,  earlier sent a letter threatening to sue his city if that map was approved and request public records to determine if gerrymandering laws or the Brown Act were violated. 

Mayor Bill Wells, Councilmen Gary Kendrick and Bob McClellan voted to approve the map drawn by Circo, a Republican who ran for Council in 2016.  Councilmembers Steve Goble and Kalasho voted against it.  The district election map  chosen squares Kalasho off against fellow Councilman Kendrick, who also lives in Fletcher Hills, on the opposite side of Parkway Plaza. It also pairs Councilmembers Steve Goble and Bob McClellan, leaving two other districts that will be open seats. The Mayor will continue to be elected at-large by all voters in the city.

The plan chosen creates three majority minority districts.  The minority definition used is broad, including language minorities such as Arabic speakers as well as all classes protected under state and federal  Voting Rights Acts.

By Jordan Damond

May 25, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- Mardi Gras,  a small cafe and market located in Spring Valley, is named for the famed carnival held in New Orleans. Following this theme, the cafe sells ample New Orleans specialties for lunch, dinner or to outfit an entire party. As someone ofNew Orleans heritage who has grown up with these foods, I was  pleased to discover that the Mardi Gras Cafe lives up to the quality of  Cajun and Creole cooking served up in New Orleans.

By Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2017 (San Diego)—“Coast to Catcus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors” by Diana Lindsay has received first place in the Outdoor Writers Association California’s 2017 Craft Awards Media Competition. Judges felt that the design and visual appeal of the entry was “Inspiring, intriguing and compelling.”

Photo: Cal Fire

May 24, 2017 (Boulevard) -- The Ribbonwood Fire has scorched approximately 25 acres in the Boulevard/McCain Valley area. The fire started late this afternoon at Ribbonwood Road south of I-8.

Air and ground crews from Cal Fire responded along with U.S. Forest Service firefighters.

Forward spread has been stopped, Cal Fire public information officer Isaac Sanchez has informed ECM, adding that crews will remain on site this evening for mop-up of the blaze.

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2017 (Dulzura) – Back on in early April, Supervisor Dianne Jacob wrote to three officials at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management urging them to close down public shooting in and around Donohoe mountain in Dulzura.  Her requests were ignored, and last weekend, the Gate Fire that starting by a shooting range in the area charred over 2,000 acres, caused evacuations of residents and an exhaustive response by fire officials and first responders to keep the public safe. 

Now, Jacob has fired off a new letter – this one to Ryan Zinke, the new Secretary of the Interior, which oversees the BLM.

Story and photo by Liz Alper

May 24, 2017 (San Diego) - New La Mesa Fire Department chief Colin Stowell was this month's speaker at the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce's breakfast meeting at Marie Callender's on Wednesday morning.