By Miriam Raftery

May 14, 2017 (Jamul) – Wineries from along the emerging Highway 94 wine corridor  served up fruits of their labors at the Jamul Wine Festival April 29^th at St. St. Pius X Catholic Church in Jamul,  all to benefit building classrooms for local children.  Guests also savored an abundant array of delicious foods,  bid on unique silent auction items,  enjoyed live music, a presentation with wine tasting tips, and more.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to showcase the Vineyards and Wineries in Jamul and to make our Festival the first of many to come,” said Gary Gorton with the Knights Council 9659 at the church.

By Julie Pendray

May 15, 2017 (Alpine) -- In the latest move to get Grossmont Unified High School District (GUHSD) to build a high school in Alpine, appeals have been filed in the Fourth Appellate Court in San Diego, with oral arguments expected late summer to early next year.

Alpine Union School District (AUSD) and Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability (ATBA) are disputing a 2016 decision by a trial judge who found that Grossmont is not mandated to construct the Alpine school because an enrollment trigger of 23,245 students in the Grossmont district had not been reached “at the time of release of request for construction bids.”

East County News Service

Ramona's Dye & Highland Valley Intersection to be Impacted

May 13, 2017 (Ramona) -- Lane closures with one-way traffic will impact State Route 67 at the Dye Road/Highland Valley Road intersection in Ramona on Sunday, May 14, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and next week during overnight hours from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. rom Monday night, May 15, to Friday morning, May 19.

East County News Service

May 12, 2017 (Alpine) -- "Casino Royale at the Ranch" at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine will be Saturday, May 20 from 3-7 p.m.  Besides exotic cats and bears, this event will have entertainment for the whole family, featuring the 2017 Funniest Person in San Diego winner James Schrader, and the “most exciting Elvis-themed entertainment on the planet” James Kruk, plus The Big Boss Men.  

Source: City of La Mesa

May 12, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Applications are now being accepted for volunteer positions on the City’s boards and commissions. The deadline for submission of applications is 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 22, 2017, in the City Clerk’s office at La Mesa City Hall, 8130 Allison Avenue. Applications may be obtained at City Hall or from the City of La Mesa website, www.cityoflamesa.us.

East County News Service

May 12, 2017 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to come out and enjoy the line-up of local bands at La Mesa’s “Sundays at Six” free summer concert series each Sunday night from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 11-July 23.

By Jonathan Goetz

May 12, 2017 (El Cajon) – After inviting the public to submit redistricting maps and hiring a consultant to advise the city as it moves toward district elections instead of citywide elections for all council members, the options have been narrowed to five maps.  Three of the five maps square Councilman Ben Kalasho off against Councilman Gary Kendrick by putting them in the same City Council District.  Four of the five maps put Councilman Bob McClellan and Councilman Steve Goble in the same district.  Below are the maps and descriptions of each proposal.

Source:  Anza-Borrego Foundation

May 11, 2017 (Borrego Springs) — The Anza-Borrego Foundation (ABF), official partner of Anza-Borrrego Desert State Park, has named Sara Husby, executive director of Tuleyome, as new executive director of ABF. She succeeds Paige Rogowski, who is manager of the Cooperating Association Program at California State Parks. Husby will take office June 12.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

May 11, 2017 (Lakeside) – Two deputies fired shots at a fleeing suspect yesterday at the intersection of Wildcat Canyon Road and Ketuull Uunyaa Way on the Barona reservation in Lakeside, killing the suspect driver at the scene and injuring two people in another vehicle as well as a deputy, according to Lieutenant Greg Rylaarsdam at the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Facebook

May 11, 2017 (Santee) — Santee resident Andrea Daves, 33, seemed to have everything to live for.  A married Navy sailor with children ages 2 and 3, she was on maternity leave when her body was found in a burning vehicle on Mast Boulevard in Santee back in February.   But now her death has been determined to be a suicide; cause of death was thermal burns, according to a press release issued by Lt. Kenneth Nelson with the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit.

By Miriam Raftery

May 11, 2017 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers will hit the trail this Saturday, May 13^th  on a five-mile hike to visit an inactive garnet mine. Hikers will encounter a waterfall, exhilarating views and othr hidden treasures of the high desert area.  “Bring your rock picks and safety glasses to do a little mining, or just enjoy your lunch on a scenic hilltop at the mine,”  the invitation reads.

Source:  Cal Fire

May 10, 2017 (Jamul) - CAL FIRE and San Diego County Fire, in cooperation with California Department of Fish & Wildlife, will be conducting a habitat restoration prescribed burn approximately 4 miles southeast of Jamul within the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve. Burning of standing vegetation will occur on approximately 70 acres as part of CALFIRE’s Vegetation Management Program (VMP). Ignition will occur at approximately 8:00 AM on May 11, 2017 and smoke may be visible throughout the County.

East County News Service

May 9, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Future Quest Youth Conference, which exists to ignite and equip youth ministries from all over southern California, will be held June 28-30, 2017. This year’s theme is LEGACY, in honor and celebration of Future Quest’s twentieth year.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

May 9, 2017 (El Cajon) -- It’s going to be hard to stay still in those Sycuan Casino concert seats with the hit band Loverboy pumping out the bass, the vocals, and the memories at their concerts this weekend!  “Turn Me Loose” or turn you loose, with flickering lights and almost karaoke night for all those who know every word of their songs.

East County News Service

Photo via @fox5sandiego on Twitter

May 7, 2017 (Spring Valley) - A man was rescued after being stranded in a culvert in Spring Valley thanks to today's rainstorm clung to shrubs and a fence while fast-moving water rushed below him, Fox 5 reports.