By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Person of interest and suspect vehicle sought by deputies

June 25, 2021 (Spring Valley) – Kenneth Love II was shot and killed June 2, 2020 while working as a security guard at a marijuana dispensary in the 8700 block of Troy Street in Spring Valley.  A year later, Sheriff’s deputies are still actively working on solving the case and they are asking public help to identify the killer.

His family is offering a $3,000 reward in addition to a $1,000 reward offered by Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest of a suspect.

East County News Service

June 24, 2021 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino & Resort will present a “Pride in the Park” concert on Saturday, July 17 at 4 p.m. 

The outdoor event will include DJs John Joseph, DJ Kinky Loop and DJ Taj, culminating in performances by Gottmik and queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race. The host for the day is Jai Rodriguez from Queer Eye. Later, DJ PurFlo will help you spin the night away.  

Tickets are limited to 1,000 guests.  For tickets, click here. 

By Mike Allen 

June 24, 2021 (Santee) -- Santee City Council has approved a $50 million operating budget for its 2021-22 fiscal year, including 1.5 percent raises for city staff and the five Council members.

Source: Caltrans

June 23, 2021 (Campo) -- Caltrans crews anticipate closures at Interstate 8 (I-8) and Crestwood Road in Campo for four weeks beginning Tuesday, July 6 to replace guardrail systems. The work will require full closures of the westbound I-8/Crestwood Road on-ramp and the eastbound I-8/Crestwood Road off-ramp near the Golden Acorn Casino, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through early August. Please see the map below showing the closure locations.  

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update 10:30 p.m.:  CALFIRE San Diego officials have lifted the evacuation warning for the Mesa Fire and closed temporary evacuation points. State Route 76 is open in both directions. Motorists are reminded to drive with caution due to emergency vehicles which will remain in the area overnight. Fire officials estimate the fire at 350 acres with zero percent containment.

June 23, 2021 (Pala) – A fast-moving brush fire named the #MesaFire has scorched 260 acres and is zero percent contained, per Cal Fire/San Diego County Fire.  State Route 76 is shut down from Horse Creek Ranch to Pala Casino due to the fire which began off highway 76 and Cousier Canyon.

An evacuation warning is in place for those who live near Pala Casino, according to the San Diego sheriff.  The warning is voluntary but be ready to leave when advised to do so.

Temporary evacuation points have been established at Valley Center High School, 31322 Cole Grade Road in Valley Center and at the park and ride at the junction of I-15 and highway 76. (An earlier temporary evacuation location at Pauma Casino is no longer in effect.)

A smoke advisory has been issued.  Smoke impacts are likely in areas near and to the east and northeast of the fire, where fine particulates, or PM2.5 concentrations, may reach unhealthful levels. Winds are expected to remain from the same general direction through Thursday.

By Miriam Raftery

June 21, 2021 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police detectives are investigating the stabbing death of a woman who appeared to be homeless found sitting in a pool of blood at a bus stop at East Madison Ave. and Walter Way Wednesday night at 6:40 p.m. 

“Officers arrived and began CPR. The victim appeared to have been stabbed at least one time,” says Lieutenant Keith MacArthur.

East County News Service

June 19, 2021 (Anza-Borrego Desert) - Cal Fire is at the scene of a vegetation fire in the community of Canebrake. The fire is 100 acres with a slow rate of spread, but 0% contained. The remote location is making access by ground difficult. Ground and additional air resources assigned.

(Photo - left) Adopter Chappie Hunter understands challenges of wearing prosthetics firsthand

June 19, 2021(Alpine) --  Chloe, one of two dogs rescued by San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement and fitted for prosthetics by the medical team at San Diego Humane Society’s Escondido Campus, is being adopted by a family who understands the challenges of having a leg amputated first hand. SDPD Detective Chappie Hunter and his family have been fostering Chloe since her three-month recovery period at SDHS. The family has decided to keep her and make the adoption official. Detective Hunter lost his leg in a crash in Alpine in 2013. After a year of recovery, he returned to work with a prosthetic leg.

Update June 19, 2021:  The Sheriff's department provided ths update:

Unfortunately, Raymond Bermudez Jr. was pronounced deceased last night. Bermudez's next of kin has been notified of his death. The Medical Examiner's Office has scheduled an autopsy has been scheduled for June 20, 2021. The suspect, Ronald Francis Valdez, has since posted bail on the lesser charge and has been released. Homicide detectives will amend the criminal charges as they continue their investigation. Detectives determined Bermudez was not in Shooter's Cocktails before the incident. Valdez did enter Shooter's Cocktails. However, he was denied service and left. The assault occurred in the parking lot and not in the business.   

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2021 (Spring Valley) – Ronald Francis Valdez, 31, is under arrest for the battery of his uncle, who is not expected to survive a serious head injury, says Lt. Thomas Seiver with the Sheriff’s homicide unit.

Deputies responded to a call at 9:30 last night of a fight at Shooter’s Cocktails at 10761 Jamacha Blvd. They found the victim, Raymond Bermudez, Jr. in front of the bar suffering from a head wound.

“Fire personnel responded and transported Bermudez to a local area hospital,” says Lt. Seiver. “Unfortunately, he is not expected to live. Due to the likelihood Bermudez may die, the Sheriff's Homicide Unit responded and assumed responsibility of the investigation.”

East County News Service

June 14, 2021 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Lions Club, THRIVE Lemon Grove and the City of Lemon Grove are sponsoring a drive-thru food distribution this Saturday, June 19, beginning at 9 a.m. and while supplies last. A cleared trunk, for contactless loading, and proof of Lemon Grove residency are required. Please stay in your car. No walk-ups are permitted.