BATTY FOR BATS

 

Story by Barbara Loveless

Photos by Barbara Loveless and Cindy Myers

“De bat – he rat got wings – all de children know dat”

December 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - And so goes the chiroptera-phobic Carly Simon song from the 1970s. But all the half-dozen or so children – and about that many adults –who attended “Batty for Bats” at Lakeside River Park Conservancy  know that bats are not even closely related to rats and their ilk. They’re more closely related to … you might want to sit down … well, us!


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"CHIT CHAT" BANDIT SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER CHASE

 

December 16, 2014 (El Cajon) - A man suspected of robbing two banks in El Cajon and a third in La Jolla has been arrested after stealing a van and leading authorities on a chase across San Diego and Riverside Counties.


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WOMAN REPORTS ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING NEAR SDSU

 

December 15, 2014 (San Diego) – San Diego State has issued an alert to students following a report of an attempted kidnapping.  A female students reports that while walking home in the 6300 block of Alvarado Road on December 12th at 10 p.m., two men grabbed her by the arm and a third pushed her from behind toward an SUV.


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COWLES MTN. WINTER SOLSTICE WALKS DEC. 20-22

 

December 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - The Mission Trails Regional Park Trail Guides will lead pre-dawn hikes to the area of the solstice observatory on Cowles Mountain on the 20th and 22nd of December. The Canyoneers of the San Diego Natural History Museum will lead the hike on the 21st.


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SNOW FORECAST FOR MOUNTAIN PEAKS, RAIN TO SOAK REGION

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--A dip in the jet stream along the West Coast is bringing more wet weather starting Monday night through early Thursday this week. The heaviest rain will be Tuesday morning and again Wednesday morning, with thunderstorms possible on Wednesday, the National Weather Service predicts.

Snow is forecast to fall in the mountains, with snow levels falling as low as 4500 feet by Wednesday.  A total of 6-12 inches could pile up above 5500 feet by Wednesday night, which includes Mount Laguna here in East County.


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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: GUESS WHAT'S SPOTTED IN DESCANSO?

 

December 15, 2014 (Descanso) - “Descanso reader Duncan McFetridge was surprised to find an unusual visitor nestled down in his kitchen during this week’s storm:  a spotted skunk, who didn’t mind sharing the space with a couple of housecats, McFetridge adds.


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READERS & WRITERS CALENDAR: FROM DECEMBER 15, 2014

 

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

Readers

December 17 (Wednesday, 7:00 to 8:45 pm) Featured Poets and Open Mic) at the monthly New Alchemy Poetry Series. Featured poet Jackleen Holton & Ron Salisbury. Free parking behind Harbor House Restaurant after 6 pm.


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HUNTER ACTION TO TRANSFER MOUNT SOLEDAD CROSS TO PRIVATE GROUP PASSES CONGRESS

 

December 14, 2014 (San Diego) - Language added to the Defense Authorization Act by San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter would transfer the Mount Soledad cross to a private war memorial organization.  Congress passed the bill on Friday and it is now awaiting signature by President Barack Obama.


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SAVE WATER: TURN OFF IRRIGATION AFTER RAINS

 

Source: County News Service

December 14, 2014 (San Diego)--It’s the time of year when San Diego County gets most of its rainfall – and this winter it’s more important than ever to take advantage of every drop that Mother Nature delivers to us.


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28 ARRESTED IN EAST COUNTY SWEEPS

 

December 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - On Saturday, the San Diego Sheriff's Department, San Diego Probation Department, and the Metropolitan Transit System conducted a probation compliance operation which resulted in twenty-eight arrests.


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JUDSON PARK AND THE WHITE GAZEBO

 

Story and photos by Robert Gehr © 2014

December 14, 2014 (El Cajon )--Judson Park (formerly known as Red Cross Park) is a small place to be sure, yet quite popular for the intimate wedding ceremonies held occasionally at the beautifully crafted white gazebo. The park is located at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Park Avenue near downtown El LCajon.


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ROLLOVER CRASH IN SANTEE INJURES 6-YEAR-OLD CHILD AND OTHERS

 

Story and photo by Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

December 14, 2014 (Santee)--A call went out to  the Santee Sheriff's Patrol Station at 3:54 p.m. on December 13, according to Deputy W. Price, regarding a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Carlton Oaks Boulevard and Willow Grove Avenue in Santee.  Deputy Price said all the passengers in the blue Xterra vehicle  were transported to the hospital and that included a 6-year-old minor.


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SHERIFF CONDUCTS DRUNK DECOY OPERATIONS IN EAST COUNTY

 

December 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and agents from Alcohol Beverage Control conducted a "Drunk Decoy" Operation at various locations in Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, and Jamul on Saturday, December 13th from noon through 6:00 p.m.


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SD TRAILS: SPOOKY TRAIL RUN

 

By Randy Zuniga

December 13, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - I had been training off and on throughout the summer for a night trail half-marathon up by Julian in October. I was doing different trail runs throughout the Cuyamaca and Laguna Mountains to get ready for it.


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WINTER EXTRAVAJAMBA AT LA MESA KICKBOXING ACADEMY DEC. 21

 

December 13, 2014 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Kickboxing Academy invites the public to “Come one, come all! Time to have a ball!” at its Winter ExtravaJamba, described as a “Bohemian extravaganza like no other.”


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GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AVERTED; PRESIDENT SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL BUDGET BILL

 

Update:  The Senate passed the spending bill tonight.  California Senator Barbara Boxer voted no; Senator Dianne Feinstein did not vote. President Barack Obama later signed the measure.

By Miriam Raftery

December 13, 2014 (Washington D.C.) –A spending bill with more pages than the epic novel War and Peace passed the House Thursday night.  If not approved by midnight tonight by the Senate, when government funding runs out, the government is set to shut down. 

But controversial provisions slipped in by House Republicans have outraged consumer advocates and many Democrats.These include provisions that would allow big banks to “gamble with taxpayer money,” by repealing key provisions of the Dodd Frank Act separating money in traditional FDIC insured bank accounts from trades, warns Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts).  Other controversial items would increase campaign donations to political parties by wealthy donors ten-fold, block money for implementing Medicare and Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act,  slash spending for education reforms and the Environmental Protection Agency, among other things.


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SHERIFF'S SENIOR VOLUNTEER PATROL BRIGHTENS HOLIDAYS WITH "YOU ARE NOT ALONE" PROGRAM

 

December 13, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - During the holiday season, members of the Sheriff's Senior Volunteer Patrol (SVP) work hard to make sure seniors who live alone feel extra special. Throughout the month of December, Senior Volunteer Patrol members will be delivering gift baskets or hot meals to seniors enrolled in the Sheriff's You Are Not Alone (YANA) program.


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BILL GARRETT RETURNING AS GROSSMONT-CUYAMACA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD PRESIDENT IN 2015

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December 12, 2014 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board has unanimously selected Bill Garrett to serve an eighth straight year as president, while Mary Kay Rosinski was picked as vice president and Greg Barr as board clerk for 2015. Garrett has served since 2008 as board president for the East County district, which enrolls about 30,0000 students at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, in addition to the district’s Continuing Education and Workforce Training program.. The Governing Board meeting got under way Tuesday with Garrett giving the oath of office to trustees Barr, Debbie Justeson and Edwin Hiel, who ran unopposed in the November election.


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EDCO REMINDS CUSTOMERS TO RECYCLE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

 

Source: EDCO

December 12, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - EDCO reminds customers to recycle this holiday season. During the holidays, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash than any other time of year. From Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, an additional 1 million tons of waste is thrown out each week. Much of what will be tossed out after the holidays is recyclable or can be reused and with a little bit of effort, residents can reduce the amount of waste generated throughout the yuletide season.


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH RAMONA WINEMAKERS ABOUT THE HOLIDAY WINE TRAIL “GET YOUR MERRY ON” EVENT DEC. 13-14

Listen online now: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

December 12, 2014 (Ramona) –Jess Koehler from La Finquita Winery and Teri Kerns from Ramona Ranch Winery stopped by our studio this week to talk about Ramona’s growing wine industry and a very merry event this weekend. The Ramona East End Loop Holiday Wine Trail (otherwise known as “Get Your Merry On” takes place this Saturday and Sunday, December 13 and 14. 

The self-guided tour features six wineries with 18 tastings, food pairings, live music, crafts such as glass blowing and holiday shopping. Plus each winery offers its own unique ambience, from the subterranean wine cave at La Finquita to an outdoor patio at Ramona Ranch.

Audio: 


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VACANCY ON LA MESA-SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD

 

East County News Service

December 11, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – La Mesa-Spring Valley School District is accepting applications now through January 12th to fill the vacancy left by former trustee Bill Baber. Baber won election to La Mesa’s City Council.


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RAIN! STORM COULD BRING FLOODING, WAVES 14 FT. HIGH

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 11, 2014 (San Diego) – A powerful storm is set to drench our region, bringing torrential downpours of up to a half inch of rain per hour. A flash flood watch has been issued through late Friday night, with highest risk in areas burned by recent wildfires including the Cocos Fire.  Dangerous surf conditions will occur along the coast. Strong rip currents are forecast, with waves of 7 to 14 feet Friday and Saturday.


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FROM WESTERN FLAIR TO A DAIRY ON LAKESIDE'S HOLIDAY HOME TOUR

 

By Janis Russell

December 12, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Lakeside Historical Society’s holiday home tour this year included five homes distinctively different homes, all decked out for the holidays.


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SAY CHEESE! LOOKS WHAT'S COMING SOON AT VAN OMMERING DAIRY IN LAKESIDE

 

December 11, 2014 (Lakeside) – Many of our readers have asked us where to find locally made cheeses. At last, we’ve found a source! Van Ommering Dairy in Lakeside has announced that starting in 2015, this family-owned farm will begin making artisan, farmstead cheese.  In addition, a cheese club, special events and creamery tours will be offered.


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FEDS SEIZE PROPERTY OF POTRERO RANCHER CONVICTED OF ALIEN SMUGGLING

 

East County News Service

December 12, 2014 (Potrero) – A federal jury yesterday has convicted Potrero resident Kala Rains, 47, on seven counts of conspiracy and alien smuggling.  The ranch used by Rains and co-conspirators to harbor undocumented immigrants should be forfeited to the U.S. government, jurors determined following a trial before Judge Anthony Battaglia.


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CHALDEAN CHAMBER MARKS ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Chamber President Ben Kalasho with Lemon Grove Councilwoman Racquel Vasquez

December 11, 2014 (San Diego) --The East County Chaldean-American Chamber of Commerce celebrated its one-year anniversary in late November with a gala anniversary party at Barfly in La Jolla.


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GANG MEMBERS INDICTED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING OF EAST COUNTY SCHOOL GIRLS

 

East County News Service

December 11, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy today revealed that 22 alleged gang members and associates are charged in a federal grand jury indictment with participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving the cross-country sex trafficking of underage girls, including many who were recruited from East County middle and high schools.


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SWAT VEHICLE AND BEANBAG GUN USED TO SUBDUE KIDNAP SUSPECT WITH NON-LETHAL FORCE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Beanbag round and projectiles similar to those used to subdue kidnap suspect

December 11, 2014 (El Cajon )—“There’s a good chance that our police officers saved the lives of four kids today,” Councilman Gary Kendrick told East County Magazine, reflecting on the dramatic rescue of the  children for whom an Amber Alert had been issued. The body of their mother had been found in another vehicle and their abductor was their father, who was believed to be armed and dangerous.


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EL CAJON MOVES FORWARD ON POLICE BODY CAMERAS

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 11, 2014 (El Cajon ) – By a 5-0 vote, El Cajon’s City Council voted Tuesday to have a study done on the feasibility of body cameras for the city’s police force.

Councilman Gary Kendrick, author of the proposal, told East County Magazine that his research found body cameras elsewhere have reduced complaints against police officers by 80% and that assaults against police officers went down 57%.


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE “CHIEF ELF” FOR LA MESA’S CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Hear our interview (originally aired on KNSJ):  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

December 11, 2014 (La Mesa)—It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in La Mesa’s downtown village, where holiday lights are twinkling and festivities are set to begin for the 25th annual Christmas in the Village celebration on Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13.  

East County Magazine sat down for an interview with John Vigil, self-proclaimed “Chief Elf” from the La Mesa Village Merchants Association and Shannon O’Dunn, owner of O’Dunn Fine Art, for a sneak preview of this year’s event—and why it’s especially important this year for local merchants to have a strong community turn-out.

Audio: 


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