July 13, 2019 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa has an opportunity to apply for a Calif. Dept. of Parks and Recreation (Prop 68) grant. The grant will help the next phase of improvements at Collier Park.
The city is hosting a series of public meetings to get the community’s ideas and input.
July 13, 2019 (Washington, D.C.) -Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA), Chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee, Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Ranking Member of the subcommittee, and Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) have introduced legislation to eliminate all administrative fees on federal student loans, which would save students over $1.7 billion per year.
July 12, 2019 (San Diego) -- The San Diego County Sheriff's deputies have been collaborating with community partners to provide outreach to the homeless. Now, the Sheriff's Department has assigned a team of deputies to work exclusively in cooperation with county governmental and non-governmental organizations on homeless outreach and services throughout unincorporated areas.
By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office
July 12, 2019 (San Diego) - The County Board of Supervisors approved another step Wednesday toward increasing local drinking water supplies for East County residents.
The Board, acting as the Board of Directors for the County Sanitation District, voted to approve $2.35 million for the County’s contribution to final program development costs of the East County Advanced Water Purification Program.
July 12, 2019 (Campo) – A train that Roy Athey ran for 20 years in Alpine, offering rides to delight children, will soon be part of a mine train ride at the Campo Railroad Park & Museum Athey donated his train to the facility. Now, three new cars for the train are being constructed at Greg Heyser’s shop in Alpine.
32 of 41 draftees signed in addition to one non-drafted free agent
Source: San Diego Padres
July 12, 2019 (San Diego) - The San Diego Padres announced today they have agreed to terms with four additional players from the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft prior to today’s deadline: RHP Drake Fellows (6th rd.), LHP Mason Feole (11th rd.), LHP Bodi Rascon (14th rd.) and C Jared Alvarez-Lopez(17th rd.). In addition, the Padres have also signed Helix alum Jack Stronach (21st rd.)
July 12, 2019 (Escondido) – The city of Escondido wants to evict Bubba and Einstein, a pair of alpacas owned by Kelly Thor and Ryan Jimenez. The couple fulfilled their dream of buying a home where they could raise animals in 2017 and were surprised to learn that the city regulates alpacas as cattle for purposes of zoning.
July 12, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – Xylitol can kill a dog in just 10 to 60 minutes, or symptoms may occur up to 24 hours after ingestion. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has issued a warning to pet owners to avoid any products with xylitol and to seek immediate emergency veterinary care if a dog or a ferret consume anproduct containing it.
UPDATE AS OF 7:22 PM: Fire is now 100 acres on the U.S. side, 650 acres total with 10% containment. The combination of ground and air resources has allowed for significant progress, and containment is likely to increase overnight.
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service
July 12, 2019 (Dulzura) – A brush fire that has charred over 100 acres in Mexico has crossed the international border and near Cottonwood Creek and Barrett Truck Trail south of Dulzura. The blaze has charred around 10 acres on the U.S. side of thee border in rural San Diego County, according to Cal Fire.
Patch.com reports 60 firefighters on scene including two air tankers, two helicopters, six engines, two dozers, two hand crews and a water tender.
Photo: El Capitan Reservoir in Lakeside is among the lakes impacted.
July 11, 2019 (San Diego) – As part of a budget reduction of 3 percent citywide, each of the City of San Diego’s reservoirs including several lakes in East County will be closed an additional weekday each month beginning July 1, 2019. The additional days each month that reservoirs will be closed are as follows:
July 11, 2019 (El Cajon) - A missing person at risk in the East County has been found safe.
79-year-old Eufemia Danaher was found around 10:00 a.m. in the 600 block of El Cajon Boulevard in El Cajon. Sheriff's ASTREA (helicopter) Deputy Gary Kneeshaw spotted a woman who matched Danaher's description and made contact with her. She has been reunited with her family.
July 11, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) - The East County backcountry lost one of its biggest cheerleaders on June 29, when Howard W. Cook passed away peacefully after a short illness. He gave selflessly to the community, serving as Chair and later Secretary for the Jacumba Sponsor Group and as Board Member of the Jacumba-Boulevard Revitalization Committee.
July 11, 2019 (Campo) – The San Diego & Arizona Railway, known as the “Impossible Railway” for the many challenges faced during its construction, is celebrating its 100th anniversary with two major centennial events on September 7 and November 16.
On Saturday, September 7, a Groundbreaking Festival will commemorate the 1907 groundbreaking of the railway, which took a dozen years to complete.
Then on Saturday, November 16, a Centennial Celebration Day will include a reenactment of the 1919 golden spike ceremony, when John D. Spreckels drove in the final spike to complete the rail line in Carriso Gorge.
Both events will be held at the Campo Railroad Park & Museum operated by the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, a nonprofit organization.
At the events, the public is invited to come and enjoy train rides, view vintage railway cars and unique railroad equipment including a 1902 steam pump engine, an operating scale steam train exhibit, plus food, drinks, souvenirs, commemorative program and fun for the whole family.
July 11, 2019 (San Diego) – As of July 10, 10 confirmed cases and one probable case have been reported in an outbreak of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that may be related to contact with animals at the San Diego County Fair. Three people were hospitalized and one child has died. All of the patients who became ill had visited the fair on or before June 22, says county spokesman Tom Christensen. The first cases were reported June 28 and the animal exhibits were shut down for the final days of the fair, which ended July 4.
July 10, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
July 10, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
July 10, 2019 (Spring Valley) - The San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District invites residents to attend a ceremonial “roll-in” to start the service life of two new fire engines. The ceremony will take place at San Miguel Station 16 on Friday, July 12, 2019 at 9:00 am.
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
Photo courtesy San Diego County Sheriff’s Department website, other photos via Creative Commons
July 10, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- Imagine you lived in an apartment complex so riddled with crime and danger, that law enforcement officers would not enter the property until backup arrived. A place where firefighters would not respond to a fire unless they were accompanied by sheriff’s deputies for protection. Where helicopters frequently flew overhead in search of a suspect, or attempting to restore peace. Where drive-by shootings, vandalism, prostitution, thefts, drug dealing, gangs and violence ruled the day.
July 10, 2019 (El Cajon) - The legendary ‘60s British rock band Herman’s Hermits with its original lead singer Peter Noone will be live in concert at Sycuan on August 3rd with shows at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
They stormed the American pop charts 22 times with smash hits such as “Can’t You Hear My Heart Beat,” “There’s a Kind of Hush” and “I’m Henry VIII, I Am.” The boys from Manchester ultimately sold over 80 million records including seven gold albums, inspiring fans around the world.
July 6, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County features lots of fun and festive upcoming summertime events, including Watermelon Days at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, the Sunshine Boys at Lamplighters Theatre, in La Mesa, a Pacific Southwest Railway Museum meet and greet in La Mesa, the Pine Valley Days festival and parade, a Sip of Julian, Concert at the Lakes in Santee, a winetasting festival in Jamul, Herman’s Hermits live at Sycuan, the Ramona Country Fair, and the HeART of Mt. Helix.
There are also some all summer long events including outdoor concerts, movies in parks across our region, 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 10, 2019 (Lakeside) -- Helix Water District has announced the winners of its 2019 Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest.
Now in its eighth year, the contest drew 60 entries from throughout the county. This year’s theme was Life at the Lake, and each of the entries highlighted the unique beauty of camping, fishing, hiking, spotting wildlife and enjoying the view at Lake Jennings in Lakeside.
Overall water quality not compromised, but customers are being notified
By Miriam Raftery
Photo: When completed in 2008, the Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant was the largest submerged membrane water treatment plant in the world and the first treatment plant built by the San Diego County Water Authority.
July 10, 2019 (San Diego) -- A malfunction at the Twin Oaks Valley Water Treatment Plant resulted in a citation from the state Division of Drinking Water due to a two-day failure of one of its systems that kills harmful organisms. The plant provides water to water districts across San Diego County including East County, but the County Water Authority assures that water in regional pipelines continued to be safe for all uses due to additional treatment processes.
July 10, 2019 (El Cajon) - Waste Management in El Cajon will be hosting a hiring event on Thursday, July 11 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to welcome interested and qualified commercial driver candidates to join the Waste Management family. Candidates will be considered for current and future driver positions. The event will be held at Waste Management’s office at 1001 W. Bradley Ave., El Cajon.
July 10, 2019 (San Diego) – Vice President Mike Pence will visit San Diego this week, his office has announced. He is slated to arrive tonight and visit the U.S. Naval Amphibious Base on Coronado tomorrow and tour the Coast Guard cutter Munro, a vessel used in drug seizures on international waters.
July 9, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – The weather is heating up, with extreme heat forecast Friday and Saturday. Lower desert highs of 112-117 degrees are forecast, with upper deserts reaching 100 to 107 degrees. Mountains and valleys could reach 95 degrees.
Thunderstorms have been added to the forecast for Friday afternoon and Saturday.
The clean energy celebration included education, local food and drinks, a silent auction and more
East County News Service
July 9, 2019 (San Diego) - On June 29, over 250 residents from across San Diego County came together to celebrate and recognize the region’s progress toward its goal of 100 percent clean energy at the largest Energy Independence Day celebration the area has yet to experience. This year’s event, hosted at Brian Malarkey's Farmer & the Seahorse restaurant in Torrey Pines, included complimentary sustainably-sourced food, local craft beer, cleantech organizations, nonprofit advocacy groups and a silent auction. It also featured two Cleantech Talks about community choice energy as well as solar power and energy storage.
July 9, 2019 (La Mesa) – Ratepayers in the Helix Water District may want to be aware of several newsworthy matters including a new report on water quality, a July 25 Helix Water Chat on water supply, and upcoming votes on water rates.
Photo: Gregory A. Vega of downtown San Diego’s Seltzer Caplan McMahon Vitek law firm came to the defense of his old friend Gonzalo Curiel when the federal judge came under attack from Donald Trump. Image via YouTube.com
July 9, 2019 (San Diego) - At Monday’s hour-long hearing forRep. Duncan D. Hunter,22 minutes were devoted to whether two (or possibly three) assistant U.S. attorneys had a political ax to grind against the indicted Republican.
July 9, 2019 (Lakeside) – CBS 8 reports that numerous goats have been killed in the past month in Lakeside's Morena Valley and Eucalyptus Hills communities. The CBS story quoted Billy Ortiz, a wildlife photographer, who said he identified tracks of a female mountain lion and a cub near the most recent kill.
But wildlife biologist Renee Owens says, "By the nature of the kills they were most if not all coyotes and possibly dogs. Yes, there is a mountain lion in the area, as has always been the case–as in all areas of our backcountry, but the track Billy has posted is not definitive of a lion." Her nonprofit organization, Wildlife Zone, is working on a mountain lion study. She has been featured on National Geographic, the BBC, Discovery Channel and Dateline for her wildlife expertise.
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine
By 
By Miriam Raftery
32 of 41 draftees signed in addition to one non-drafted free agent
By Miriam Raftery 
By Miriam Raftery 
East County News Service 
Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Department
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
Source: County News Center
July 10, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
July 10, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
July 10, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
By Criss Brainard, Fire Chief
By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies
East County News Service
East County News Service
Source: Helix Water District
Overall water quality not compromised, but customers are being notified 
East County News Service
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
The clean energy celebration included education, local food and drinks, a silent auction and more
By Miriam Raftery
By Ken Stone
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