By Miriam Raftery

June 8, 2022 (Spring Valley) – A stabbing suspect has been apprehended following a  search yesterday in the Casa de Oro area of Spring Valley. Rene Soto, 41, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

By Henri Migala

June 5, 2022 (Alpine) -- One of East San Diego County’s great treasures, Lions, Tigers and Bears celebrated its 20^th anniversary on May 21 with a “Diamonds and Denim” themed Wild in the Country gala. The even featured a silent and live auction with items such as wildlife paintings and an African photo safari as well as a VIP cocktail party reception, opportunities to feed exotic animals, buffet luncheon, and entertainment by a Neil Diamond tribute artist.

Situated on 93 acres outside of Alpine, California, on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest, Lions Tigers & Bears is an animal sanctuary for rescued big cats, bears and other exotic animals in beautiful San Diego County.

Motorists advised to allow additional travel time for lane closures and detours

Source:  Caltrans

June 3, 2022 (El Cajon) - Construction crews will reduce lanes on Interstate 8 (I-8) at State Route 67 (SR-67)/Magnolia Avenue Monday through Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for ongoing electrical work, according to Caltrans. At least one lane will remain open for traffic. The work is part of the I-8/SR-67 Bridge Repair Project.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC by NC-ND via Bing

June 2, 2022 (La Mesa) – Wedding attire can leave many betrothed couples with sticker shock. So Goodwill’s La Mesa retail store is hosting a special event offering wedding wear – including gowns by brand-name designers, some with original tags still attached. Items available include bridal gowns, dresses for bridesmaids, mother-of-the-bride and flower girls.  You’ll also find jewelry, shoes, gloves, bowties, tiaras and wedding décor items.

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by James Kecskes

June 2, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego on Wednesday kicked off its 2022 Cool Zones program to help San Diegans beat the heat this summer. Cool Zones are free, air-conditioned locations, available throughout the region, where people can go to escape extreme temperatures.

By Kylie Dees

June 1, 2022 (La Mesa) – One of La Mesa’s hidden gems is located in La Mesa’s downtown village and is known for its affordable and trendy ladies resale clothing. Act II is a family owned and operated business owned by Dolores Buller (photo, left)) and her daughter, Deanne Ross (right).

Source: Santee Summer Concerts

May 31, 2022 (Santee) -- The Santee Summer Concerts are back. After 38 years, concerts in Santee have become a tradition that draw crowds to a local park for free live music.

Motorists advised to allow additional travel time for lane closures and detours

East County News Service

May 28, 2022 (San Diego) - Construction crews will reduce lanes on westbound and eastbound Interstate 8 (I-8) at State Route 67 (SR-67)/Magnolia Avenue Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for electrical work, according to Caltrans. At least one lane will remain open in each direction for traffic. The work is part of the I-8/SR-67 Bridge Repair Project.

East County News Service

May 24, 2022 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Flag Day Parade salutes “Old Glory” at the 23rd annual event on Saturday, June 4.  The parade begins at 10:00 a.m., marching west through the La Mesa Village along La Mesa Blvd. to Acacia. The parade will be led by the United States Marine Corps 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band and Grossmont High School Navy Junior ROTC Color Guard.  This year’s Grand Marshal will be healthcare and essential workers from Sharp Grossmont Hospital. Cheer on marching bands, active and retired military members, service clubs, and youth groups. 

East County News Service

May 24, 2022 (Julian) -- Scott Lagace snapped these inspiring shots of the sun's rays on an early morning hike up Volcan Mountain in Julian.

East County News Service

Photo: CC via Bing

May 24, 2022 (La Mesa) -- A resolution in support of three State legislative bills which address street harassment in public places, transit and private businesses will be considered by the La Mesa Council at its meeting tonight at 6  p.m.  The measure is item 12.1 on the agenda.

Vice Mayor Jack Shu and Councilmember Colin Parent are requesting the La Mesa City Council pass a resolution which supports three bills currently being considered in Sacramento. These bills will address hate generated harassment from a public health and civil rights framework.

First is AB 2549 by Assembly Members Mia Bonta, Al Muratsuchi and Dr. Akilah Weber which would authorize a study and campaign seeking  to prevent public street harassment. Then SB 1161 introduced by Senator Dave Min addresses harassment which takes place in our public transit systems. Third, AB 2448 introduced by Assembly Member Phil Ting will address harassment in private businesses. The resolution also supports corresponding budget requests for these bills.

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Jay Goldstone, San Diego chief operating officer

May 23, 2022 (Santee) -- The board overseeing the $950 million East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) project took the first legal step to condemn a pump station owned by the city of San Diego after numerous delays and now outright refusal by that city to abide by an earlier agreement to sell the property.

By Matthew Manosh and Miriam Raftery

Photo: Outreach team members  speak with homeless person in local park

Hear audio of full forum

May 22, 2022 (Lemon Grove) – The 2022 Point in Time Count of homeless people reveals some shocking statistics. While countywide the rate rose 10% from January 2020 to January 2022, in San Diego’s unincorporated areas the number was up 540.7% to a total of 173 individuals.  The numbers also soared in several East County communities including Lemon Grove (up 72.2% to 31 individuals), El Cajon (up 68.8% to 1,308 people, though most are in shelters), and Santee (up 488% to 147), Lakeside (up 162.5% to 63 people).  Some communities fared better; Spring Valley had 38.1% fewer homeless people (60) and La Mesa held relatively steady, up just 1.9%, and Alpine had just one person homeless person identified.

County ramps up efforts

“Your county is committed…like it has never been before,” Nathan Fletcher, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors, said at a recent forum on homelessness at the Lemon Grove Library on hosted by the East County Homeless Task Force and Thrive Lemon Grove. “There is not a zip code or a community anywhere in San Diego that is not impacted by homelessness.”  

Fletcher outlined plans to help both the homeless and communities, asking support from residents, which are detailed below. Other panelists also addressed new efforts to reduce homelessness in East County.

Candidate denounces Deputy Sheriff’s Association for funding misleading ads, says actions show need for reforms

By Miriam Raftery

May 20, 2022 (San Diego) – Mailers landing in mailboxes and an online ad on Facebook contain deceptive messages regarding Sheriff candidate Dave Myers. The ads falsely state that Myers is a “lifelong Republican” who opposes democratic values, depicting him as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”  But in fact, Myers is the only candidate in the race who is endorsed by the state and county Democratic parties.  He was also endorsed by the Democratic party in a prior run for Sheriff as well as when he ran for La Mesa City Council.

East County News Service

May 18, 2022 (Spring Valley) – Two people have been arrested for the murder of Ronald Ray McKinney, 59. His body was found by hikers on January 23 off the roadway in the 3500 block of Millar Ranch Road in Spring Valley.