July 31, 2019 (Valley Center) – My daughter and I savored a soothing summer’s eve at Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center, partaking of an outdoor high tea on a shaded patio--an idyllic way to relax and indulge in some scrumptious treats.
After rambling down winding country roads, we arrived to be greeted with a hand-washing station complete with a lavender sugar scrub that left our hands not only clean, but soft and smooth. I recommend arriving early to take a stroll past lavender fields, albeit past the peak spring bloom season.
July 31, 2019 (Alpine) – The Alpine Historical Society invites you to a meeting and potluck lunch on Sunday, August 18 at the Alpine Woman’s Club (2156 Alpine Blvd., Alpine). Sam S. Webb, a fourth generation Californian and family biographer, brings stories of Alpine’s earliest and most influential settler and his family’s many adventures in the area. Hear about Alpine’s first school, the toll road to Julian’s gold mines, protection of the first school marm from dastardly deeds of a Frenchman and more.
Photos: 2017 gray wolf litter, courtesy Calif. Department of Fish and Wildlife
July 31, 2019 (Lassen) – Like the grizzly bear, wolves were exterminated from Califiornia in the 1920s. But now they are making a comeback.
In the past several years, wolves have crossed into northern California from Oregon—and several litters of wolf pups have been born. In 2014, gray wolves received endangered species protection status from the state of California.
July 31, 2019 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon branch of the County Library has closed unexpectedly due to major maintenance and repair issues.
“Based on the best information I have, they anticipate re-opening the library on Friday,” Assistant City Manager Vince DiMaggio advised the Mayor and City Council in an e-mail.
The Library’s website confirms that reopening is expected Friday at 9:30 a.m.
Photo: Mobile homes burning during July 2018 West Fire in Alpine
July 31, 2019 (Sacramento) -- After earning strong bipartisan support in the Senate and Assembly, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 508 authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that will require insurers to provide timely disclosures and information to mobile home and condominium residents regarding their residential property insurance policies and their rights associated with their policy.
July 31, 2019 (Campo) – Campo Creek Vineyards (29556 Highway 94 in Campo) will host a grape picking and stomping party complete with barbecue on September 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event admission ($20 for ages 6 and up) includes barbecue trip tip and chicken provided by Heftyboy BBQ and one beverage.
July 30, 2019 (Julian) – In a precedent-setting case over preservation of agricultural land protected under California’s Williamson Act, California’s Fourth District Court of Appeal has published a decision that reverses a Superior Court ruling in Cleveland National Forest Foundation et al. v. County of San Diego.
The July 25th decision held that San Diego County officials acted wrongly when they approved a map for a housing subdivision on the 1,400-acre Hoskings Ranch near Julian. The court found the Genesee Properties project would have set the stage to replace ranching with residential development--all while allowing the property owner to enjoy tax breaks intended to keep the land in agriculture.
July 30, 2019 (San Diego) - ArtWalk @ Liberty Station will return to Ingram Plaza for its 14th year of “Connecting Creative Communities” on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11 in the Arts District at Liberty Station. The fine arts festival brings visual arts, music and interactive art experiences to the historic San Diego community all weekend long. More than 200 visual artists will be on hand including East County artists Linda Drake, Jason Humphrey, Bette Barnett, Cindy Teyro and Island Paper. Thousands can peruse through the garden browsing artwork and enjoying food, wine and beer, and live entertainment at the two-day, free event.
July 30, 2019 (Spring Valley) - Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel & Hardy fan society, invites you to their next meeting on August 31 at 6:30 p.m. in Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.
Council votes 3-2 to keep market downtown, but have Beevers Farmers Market run the event instead of merchants’ group
By Allan Acevedo
July 27, 2019 (La Mesa) – As foreshadowed at the previous La Mesa City Council meeting, the banner agenda item at this week’s meeting was the fate of the much-beloved farmer’s market. Its location, time, and management were up for debate because the current agreement ends July 30th.
The discussion on the Community Choice Aggregation Technical Feasibility Study was tabled for the next meeting because of the anticipated length of the farmer’s market discussion. The study will cover the feasibility for La Mesa to produce and sell clean electricity from renewable resources to residents, potentially in conjunction with other local cities.
July 30, 2019 (La Mesa) - Enjoy two free outdoor movies as part of the 2019 Summer Movies in the Parks series. Movies are free to the public and will be shown on a large screen. Bring a picnic along with a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy this family activity in the park. Movies will begin at dusk.
July 26, 2019 (Santee) -- Santee’s City Council took a more in-depth look this week at establishing a new entity that promises to provide energy at reduced rates while obtaining more of the power from renewable sources.
July 30, 2019 (Santee) – Cindy Green, a retired pediatric nurse and long-time Democratic Party activist, was found dead in her Santee home on July 27th.
July 27, 2019 (Proctor Valley) – Last week, San Diego County Supervisors approved the controversial Otay Ranch Village 14 master-planned community in Proctor Valley near Jamul, which passed by a 3-2 vote.
Now environmental groups have filed lawsuits, hoping a judge will cast the deciding vote to block the project, based on fire danger to residents and threats to wildlife. A press release issued by the plaintiffs, Center for Biological Diversity, Endangered Habitat League, Sierra Club, California Chaparral Institute, Preserve Wild Santee, and California Native Plant Society, calls the project “a sprawl development that will pave over hundreds of acres of habitat for golden eagles and other imperiled wildlife and build new homes in one of California’s most dangerously fire-prone areas.”
July 30, 2019 (El Cajon) - Earlier today, the City of El Cajon announced the appointment of Captain Mike Moulton as the next Chief of Police. Moulton replaces Chief Jeff Davis who will retire on September 12, 2019. Mike Moulton, 44, has worked for the El Cajon Police Department for the past twenty-four years.
Hear our interview with Victor Crosswaite Contreras on Twainfest and BonitaFest events to commemorate San Diego's 250th birthday
July 30, 2019 (San Diego) - Write Out Loud, an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience - announces the 10th Anniversary of their Annual TwainFest to take place on Saturday, August 17th from 11am - 5:00pm in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego in conjunction with San Diego's 250th birthday celebration. TwainFest is produced by Write Out Loud and sponsored by Fiesta de Reyes in association with Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
July 29, 2019 (San Diego) – Alvin Ray Quarles, dubbed the “Bolder than Most” rapist, will be released to a supervised home at an as-yet undisclosed location somewhere in San Diego County, Superior Court Judge David Gill ruled today.
Last fall, Gill ruled that Quarles could be released to a supervised residence in Jacumba Hot Springs, but later agreed to reconsider his decision at the request of prosecutors and Supervisor Dianne Jacob. After several days of an evidentiary hearing from which victims of Quarles were barred last week, Judge Gill has affirmed that Quarles can be released. However, the Jacumba property fell through, so an August 30 status conference has been set, when the state may present housing options and the public can testify, Times of San Diego reports.
July 29, 2019 (Ramona) –The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will present the 49th annual Ramona Country Fair, Thursday, Aug. 1 to Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 431 Aqua Lane, Ramona. Admission to the fair is free.
July 29, 2019 (San Diego) - California Senate Bill 1193 (SB1193), enacted in 2013, added a law that certain businesses such as on-sale beer and liquor establishments, general public premise licenses, type 48, are required to post a notice tohelp and assist victims of human trafficking, andalert the general public, on how to report the sex trafficking.
July 29, 2019 (San Diego) – A Cal Fire firefighter on a training hike with his engine crew suffered a medical emergency this morning. He was airlifted by a San Diego County Sheriff’s helicopter and an air ambulance to Temecula Valley Hospital in critical condition, where he died despite the diligent efforts of medical staff.
Governor Gavin Newsom order the flag at the state capitol flown at half mast. “On behalf of all Californians, Jennifer and I extend our sincere condolences to CAL FIRE Firefighter Yaroslav Katkov’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time," the Governor states. "It’s the work of brave firefighters like Yaroslav that keep our communities safe, and we are deeply grateful for his service.”
Photo: stock photo of a UH-60 Black Hawk helitanker with a water bucket. Image credit: Shutterstock
July 29, 2019 (San Diego) - The County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to share a Black Hawk helitanker lease with San Diego Gas & Electric, giving an additional boost to the region’s aerial firefighting options during peak fire season.
UPDATE July 29, 2019 8:20 a.m.: The fire has burned 150 acres and is now 50 percent contained, Cal Fire reports. One lane of Dehesa Rd. has been opened for traffic according to the Dept. of Public Works.
UPDATE 8:38 p.m.: Forward spread has been halted. The fire has burned 50 acres and is now 10% contained. Dehesa Rd. is closed at Willow Glen Dr. on the west and Harbison Canyon Rd. on the east. Three homes remain evacuated but no structures were damaged and none are threatened. Cal Fire, the USFS, Sycuan Fire, San Miguel Fire, San Diego Sheriff, CHP and County Animal Control are at the scene, where 17 engines are working on the fire. Mop-up is underway/
UPDATE 7:09 p.m.: Per the Incident Commander, the fire is now estimated to be 50 acres and 0% contained. 3 homes have been voluntarily evacuated along Dehesa Rd but no evacuation warnings or orders have been issued. There are no homes that are currently being threatened.
East County News Service
July 28, 2019 (Dehesa) - Cal Fire is responding to a reported vegetation fire in the area of Dehesa Rd. near Sycuan Summit Dr. The fire is 25 acres with a moderate rate of spread.
View photos:
Photo right: View from Target in Rancho San Diego, by Paul Kruze.
Photo, left: Smoke acros East County, by Andy Calderon
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July 22, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features some end of July festivities and hot August nights events including Pine Valley Days, a Sip of Julian, the Jamul Winetasting Festival, Herman’s Hermits at Sycuan, a concert at Santee Lakes, Julian’s Natural Wonderfest, the Ramona Country Fair, a grape stomp in Campo, a Laurel and Hardy event in Spring Valley, the Julian Star Fest, the HeART of Mt. Helix art and wine festival, a twilight walk at Mission Trails Regional Park and the Barona Powwow.
There are also some all summer long events including rollerskating DJ nights in Alpine, outdoor concerts and movies in parks across our region, movies in La Mesa, classic car shows and dive-in movies at the Kroc Center’s swimming pool.
So scroll down for all of these events and many more!
July 28, 2019 (Spring Valley) – Yesterday, detectives from the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force were investigating suspected sex trafficking of a 12-year-old runaway girl. While checking a possible location in the 8500 block of Paradise Valley Rd. in Spring Valley, detectives found and recovered the missing girl.
July 28, 2019 (San Diego) – Four East County residents from La Mesa and Spring Valley are among the newly impaneled San Diego County Grand Jury. The East County jurors include a retired attorney, a caterer, an Army veteran/retired technical consultant, and an elementary school reading mentor.
July 28, 2019 (San Diego's East County) - East County alumni impressed in the majors this week. Click the cut for a recap.
July 22
West Hills product Stephen Strasburg started today for the Washington Nationals as his record improves to 13-4. Strasburg pitched six innings, gave up three hits, two walks and struck out three as they defeated the Colorado Rockies 11-1
Granite Hills product Travis Taijeron went 1 for 4 with a two-run homer, his 22nd of the season for the Syracuse Mets, as they were defeated by the Indianapolis Indians by a 7-6 score.
El Capitan product Kevin Ginkel appeared in relief for the Reno Aces as he pitched one inning, gave up one hit and one walk and struck out three as the Aces defeated the Tacoma Rainiers 10-7.
Photo: Southern white rhino calf conceived through artificial insemination is said to be bonding well with Victoria, its mother. Photo by Ken Bohn / San Diego Zoo Safari Park
July 30, 2019 (San Diego) - San Diego Zoo Globalon Monday announced what it called a historic birth of a southern white rhino calf via hormone-induced ovulation and artificial insemination — raising hopes that the nearly extinct northern white rhino can be saved.
July 28, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) - Motorists are advised to watch for full connector closures along Interstate 8 (I-8) in the mountain areas of eastern San Diego County weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for pavement work, according to Caltrans. Full closures will take place at one intersection at a time in the coming week as follows:
Hear our interview at the audio link and scroll down for highlights.
July 28, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – East Count Magazine sat down last week for an interview with Warsan Artan. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, after her parents fled civil war in Somalia, she came to Lemon Grove as a refugee at the age of 10. A decade later, she is the lead Youth Organizer at Youth Will, a nonprofit dedicated to making San Diego a world-class region for children and youth. Youth Will recently rolled out a Summer of Youth Power campaign with a series of events to help young people’s voices be heard.
Her goal to create a brand-new regional master plan for San Diego's children and youth. The organization also recently held the region’s first youth county budget forum with Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, created a youth bill of rights, hosted youth presidential debate watch parties, and more.
By Carol Morrison
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
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East County News Service
Source: City of La Mesa
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Source: City of El Cajon 
Source: Write Out Loud
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