By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor, and Miriam Raftery, Editor

February 26, 2019 (Julian) — Voters in the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD) have until March 19 to mail in their ballots on Measure A. The ballot language is confusing to some.  

In plain English, a “yes” vote would dissolve the county’s last all-volunteer firefighting district and put the San Diego County Fire Authority run by Cal Fire in sole charge of fire and emergency medical protection.  A “no” vote would save the district from dissolving and keep the volunteer firefighters and paramedics who have protected the area for over 20 years, with Cal Fire providing backup/mutual aid.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

February 26, 2019 (La Posta) — A couple who claimed responsibility on social media for spray-painting graffiti on rocks at a sacred site on the La Posta Indian reservation in East County claims they didn’t know they were on tribal lands, but have offered to clean up the damage.

East County News Service

February 26, 2019 (Ramona) – The Gallery at 438 Main St. in Ramona invites you to a “First Friday” Art Party and Open House on March 1^st from 6 to 8 p.m. The free event will feature free refreshments, art by local artists, and 20 percent discounts off purchases.

East County News Service 

February 25, 2019 (El Cajon) – Foothills Christian Church at 365 West Bradley Ave. in El Cajon will host “Blessed with a Dress,” a free event for young women needing high-quality, fashionable formal wear for school dances and other special occasions. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, girls can visit the church campus and select a free dress, pair of shoes and jewelry for upcoming formal events.

East County News Service

February 25, 2019 (Santee) – The Santee Chick-fil-A restaurant at 9418 Mission Gorge Road in Santee, will celebrate six years of serving guests with an anniversary party in the restaurant on Thursday, Feb. 28.  The 110-seat restaurant opened on February 28, 2013.

By Miriam Raftery

Illustration by Duke Windsor*

February 24, 2019 (San Diego) – Following revelations that the Trump administration failed to inform a federal judge that it had begun separating migrant children from their parents back in 2017, a federal judge in San Diego sent strong signals Thursday that he is prepared to expand his June 2018 reunification order to mandate reunions of more families who came to the U.S. seeking freedom from persecution.

Judge Dana Sabraw’s original order required unification only of children who were in government custody at the time, taken from migrant parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. But on Thursday, Judge Sabraw made clear, “No one but a few in the government knew that these separations had been going on nine or 10 months before, and that hundreds if not thousands were” being separated. He added, “The court didn’t know that and plaintiff didn’t know that, and I don’t think government counsel knew that.”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Al Sanati and Ramiro Sandoval

Cllick this audio link to hear our interview, or scroll down to read highlights.

February 23, 2019 (El Cajon) — Al Sanati, director of the War Refugees Group, and Ramiro Sandoval with Hermanos Unidos Sin Fronteras (Brothers United Without Borders) were our guests on our East Count Magazine Radio Show on KNSJ recently.

These humanitarian leaders are fighting for justice and filing suit to win financial reparations from the Iraqi government for1.2 million Iraqi refugees around the world, including over 80,000 in East County. They have also met with top dignitaries in Iraq in an effort to help the nation’s new government rebuild Iraq.

East County News Service

February 23, 2019 (El Cajon) –  Coldwell Banker West (CBW), one of San Diego County’s largest real estate companies, has opened a new office in La Mesa to be called its Mount Helix office.

The company said it has leased and moved into a 13,000-square-foot, two-story office building at 9555 Grossmont Summit Dr., which previously was occupied by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties.

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 22, 2019 (San Diego) - An abandoned 3-month-old puppy suffering from head injuries is now on the mend and is available for adoption from County Animal Services.  The young pit bull was found in a milk crate near a burning dumpster in the Crest area on Feb. 13.

By Miriam Raftery

February 22, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A comedy night fundraiser to benefit the East County Transitional Living Center in El Cajon will be presented on Saturday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at the Skyline Church, 11330 Campo Rd. in La Mesa.