By Helen Ofield, Historian to the Board, Lemon Grove Historical Society

Photo: Roberta Bulling, Education Chair, Lemon Grove Historical Society

March 27, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove's third graders have set a record: 142 entries in the 2023 Treganza History Essay Competition--the largest number in 33 years, or since Dr. Amorita Treganza launched and endowed the competition in 1990. She was also a founder of the Lemon Grove Historical Society (LGHS) in 1978, which annually sponsors two history competitions for third and eighth grades.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2023 (Potrero) – A 300-year-old old oak tree toppled onto the porch of the former Potrero Café, next door to the historic Potrero Store, which was built in 1883 and first operated by Joseph and Damond Thing. The store remains open.

“The restaurant’s been closed for six years,” Michael Streenan, owner of the property, told East County Magazine. The tree damaged two exterior porches and an asphalt parking lot, but fortunately the buildings on the property are intact, he said.

“No one was injured when the tree fell. “Nobody even heard it come down. We just came out and saw it,” says Ryan Streenan, Michael’s son.  Neither of the Streenans knows how old the café building is, though Ryan said it may have been a house for former owners of the store.

The most likely cause of the massive tree’s collapse is the recent heavy rainfalls that have left the ground saturated.  “I guarantee you we’ve had 10 inches here,” says Jan Hedlun, a member of the Potrero community planning group. “I’ve been stranded three times on my own driveway because the water’s been 15 inches deep.  I had one oak tree branch break and fall; another tree had a branch come down.”

By Jessyka Heredia 

View video: Regular CityCouncil Meeting 3/21/2023

March 25,2023 (Lemon Grove) On Tuesday, Lemon Grove Finance Manager Joseph Ware presented the Mid-Year Budget Review, which projects a substantial surplus.

 “Sales tax is exceeding our expectations,” he informed the City Council, adding that as of January, the projected increae is $500,000. "Sales tax is “by far our biggest revenue,” he said, noting that 35% of the city’s revenue comes from sales tax .

East County News Service

March 23, 2023 (El Cajon) – An 82-year-old man was struck by a Nissan Altima while crossing Greenfield Drive west of Oro Street in unincorporated El Cajon on March 21 at 7:20 p.m.

Council also calls for investigation into price-gouging by motels

By Jessyka Heredia

March 21, 2022 (El Cajon) At a special session meeting Tuesday, El Cajon City Council members voiced outrage over recent crimes happening in hotels involving recipients of the county’s hotel voucher program. These vouchers are intended to help people vulnerable from homelessness find shelter at local hotels. 

Recently it was discovered that two men allegedly molested a 16 year old female victim at a Motel 6 located on Montrose Court in El Cajon and videotaped it. Both men are registered sex offenders and wore ankle monitoring devices. El Cajon Police Department has indicated it believes at least two other underage girls were sexually assaulted by the men.

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland

March 21, 2023 (Lakeside) -- Lakeside has a new state of the art library. ECM took a preview tour of the 16,000 square foot facility on March 1 during a soft opening, also interviewing librarian Mary Elder. The grand opening is scheduled for March 25^th.

ECM has conducted a photographic and drone history since ground-breaking of this new addition to Lakeside. As part of the San Diego County public library system, it is open to all residents of the county to utilize its services and check out materials.

The library offers a spacious environment with a teen room, children's section with a cave and large screen computer screens, large print section, DVD area, outdoor patio, state of the art computer check-out machine, attractive artwork, Lakeside Friends of the Library’s room that offers books for sale and much more.

East County News Service

March 20, 2023 (Lakeside) – The theme of this year’s Western Days Parade in Lakeside will be “Fighting for Justice.” District Attorney Summer Stephan will service as grand marshal of the parade on Saturday, April 29.

East County News Service

Updated March 21 with additional details.

March 20, 2023 (El Cajon) – Two registered sex offenders have been arrested after admitting to sexual acts with underage girls at the Motel 6 in El Cajon, where one of the offenders had been placed by an organization that assists homeless people.

El Cajon Police Department has identified one victim, a 16-year-old girl.  ECPD is asking for public help to identify multiple young girls whom the men have reportedly admitted to sexually assaulting during the past week at the same motel.

These crimes validate concerns repeatedly raised by the city of El Cajon over County placement of homeless individuals in motels without vetting for criminal backgrounds, as ECM has reported.

By Mimi Pollack

Photo courtesy San Diego Animal Sanctuary

March 19, 2023 (Alpine) -- An East County animal sanctuary is in trouble and needs the community’s help. Local humanitarian Agnes Barrelet heads up The San Diego Animal Sanctuary and Farm in Alpine, a nonprofit, where she and her crew tend to a varied menagerie of animals in need.

Formerly known as the Children's Nature Retreat, this rural 20-acre property in Alpine is a haven for all kinds of animals, including zebras, horses, African cows, camels, mules, donkeys, rabbits, mini horses, mini goats, mini pigs, ostriches, emus, desert tortoises, and more. They have 200 hundred animals with over 95 domesticated livestock, 29 different species and 78 breeds from around the world. There are several animal enclosures, including Barnyard Alley, Tortoise Landing, African Grasslands, and Mini and Big Farms.

Photo right courtesy San Diego Animal Sanctary

Barrelet is known for rescuing animals in need, but that is something she is not going to be able to do anymore without the community’s help.

East County News Service

March 19, 2023 (Ramona) – The Ramona Senior Center will host a car show on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace Community Church, 1234 Barger Place in Ramona (corner of San Vicente Road and Barger Place).

East County News Service

March 19, 2023 (Lakeside) – Reflections Day Spa invites you to its 7^th annual Haircuts for the Homeless event on Sunday, April 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations of items to help the homeless are sought, including sleeping bags, blankets, tents, socks, jackets, beanies and toiletries.

Reflections Day Spa is located at 9909 Maine Ave., Lakeside, CA 92040.  Questions? Call (619) 334-2240.

East County News Service

March 17, 2023 (Borrego Springs) -- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is beginning to have pockets of blooming wildflowers as well as cacti blooms. The Anza Borrego Foundation offers these tips for those planning to come view wildflowers:

1. Check the weather forecast before heading to the Park. Make sure to dress in layers and pack plenty of water.
2. Call the Wildflower Hotline at 760-767-4684 for weekly updates on the best viewing locations.
3. Print the most recent wildflower map at home. You can click here to find printable wildflower maps.
4. You can also get printed wildflower maps and viewing tips at the State Park store at 587 Palm Canyon Drive between 11 .am. and 3 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.
5. Check road conditions, including the surrounding mountains for any road closures or chain requirements.
6. Make sure to visit our State Park store, open daily 9 AM - 5 PM for any needed information or to purchase Park maps.
   

By Miriam Raftery

March 16, 2023 (Santee) – A Santee teenager missing since January has been found safe in San Diego. 

Veronica Moreno, 16, has been reunited with her family, Sergeant Matthew Carpenter with the San Diego Sheriff’s Family Protection Detail and Juvenile Services Group announced today.

More than 50 employers to attend 2nd Annual Event

Photo: job seeker conversing with recruiters at Grossmont College job fair

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

March 16, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College will welcome more than 50 employers representing industries such as healthcare, hotels and tourism, public safety, local government, retail, and defense, as part of the 2nd Annual Refugee Job Fair March 23.