By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The number of honey bee hives lost to Colony Collapse Disorder dropped 27% over the past year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports in a honeybee health survey. In addition, the total number of commercial honeybee colonies has risen 3 percent.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

August 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County)   -- The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch Wednesday morning for San Diego’s inland region that includes the East County communities of La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Pine Valley and Julian as well as other inland areas of Escondido, Poway and San Marcos. 

The flood watch is in effect through tonight, with the threat of flash flooding and debris flows greatest in areas burned bare by brush fires. A deluge could bring over an inch an hour to some areas.

By Kendra Sitton

August 3, 2017 (La Mesa)-- In the La Mesa-Spring Valley (LMSV) Board of Education’s last meeting before the school year began, six candidates for the open seat moved forward to the public interview this Thursday, Aug. 3. Rebekah Basson, Charles Muse, Paul Schnaubelt, Jay Steiger, Dwight Sykes and Helen Yapura-Weiler were each nominated by current members for the appointment. The only eligible applicant who did not receive a nomination was John Shaffer.

East County News Service

August 1, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Just in time for Lemon Grove’s 40^th birthday celebration, Lemon Grove Historical Society president and award-winning journalist Helen Ofield has posted “The Way We Were,” a witty summation of the city’s colorful start.

By Miriam Raftery

August 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- A prominent attorney, Cory Briggs, has sent a letter to San Diego Unified School District’s Superintendent Cindy Marten expressing an intent to file a lawsuit after the school board voted to destroy emails after just one year.  Briggs says such action appears to violate state law requiring that all school district records, including electronic ones, be retained for at least three years. He also accuses the district of failing to comply in a timely manner with public records requests.

Society of Professional Journalists has previously voiced concerns over the districts shortened e-mail retention policy and nonresponsive to public records requests by media and/or the public.

Briggs has requested a settlement meeting.  Below is the full text of his letter:

By Mimi Pollack

July 31, 2017 (El Cajon) -- When Juan Martin Sajche left his small village in Guatemala in 1997 and arrived in El Cajon at the age of 15, he never dreamed he would one day be a respected Spanish teacher at Morse High School in San Diego. The past 20 years have been quite a journey!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

July 31, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - I don’t know about you, but people seem to be more grumpy and impatient when temperatures heat up and even more so when the humidity increases. The next few days may be a little tough with hot humid weather coming in.  First and foremost - Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty, to stay cool in hot weather. Then follow these safety tips:

East County News Service

July 30, 2017 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Community Planning Group meets Wednesday, August 2^nd with an open house from 6:00 to 6:30 including public viewing of available project plans.  An earlier Trails Subcommittee meets from 6:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by the Planning Group meeting at 6:30 p.m.

The agenda includes a public hearing on a proposed 35-foot-high AT&T wireless facility at Buena Vida and Muth Valley roads disguised as a water tank, a major use permit to expand an assisted living facility on Willow Road, a tentative parcel map approval at West Hills Road and West Hills Terrace, and approval of new Planning Group appointees, as well as subcommittee reports and more.  For full agenda, scroll down.

East County News Service

July 30, 2017 (Julian) - Julian Arts Guild will hold its Fall Art Show on September 2, 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Julian Town Hall (2129 Main Street, Julian).

This is a free event showcasing the works of talented Julian artists. Artworks displayed will include weaving, ceramics, gourd painting, drawing and mixed media.

By Miriam Raftery

July 29, 2017 (La Mesa) – Gloria Chadwick announced on her Facebook page that she is suspending her candidacy in the 50^th Congressional district and will instead seek reelection to her current position on the Grossmont Healthcare District Years, where she has served for many years.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

July 28, 2017 (San Diego) - Six San Diego County parks will be closed in August due to extreme heat. The closures take place most years as a safety precaution, while providing Department of Parks and Recreation staff with an opportunity to conduct maintenance such as trail restoration.

Authorities ask public help to find abuser who bound dog’s snout

East County News Service

July 28, 2017 (Santee) -- An abused 3-month-old terrier is now recovering at County Animal Services after being found abandoned late Wednesday night outside a Santee fast food restaurant. A witness reported seeing an orange Dodge Charger stop, pause, then pull away. The puppy ran from the spot where the Dodge had been, then hid beneath another vehicle.