SR-78 reduced to one lane with one-way traffic control

East County News Service

October 6, 2022 (Ramona) - Maintenance crews continue brush removal efforts on a 4-mile stretch of State Route 78 (SR-78) from Ramona Highlands Road to State Route 67 in Ramona from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 14, according to Caltrans. Crews will reduce SR-78 to one lane—one mile at a time—to minimize the impact to commuter traffic.

East County News Service

September 20, 2022 (Ramona) – A Ramona woman, 68, has died of injuries sustained in a collision yesterday afternoon. According to the CHP, she was driving a 2005 Dodge Ram westbound on Mussey Grade Road when after stopping at a stop sign, turned left onto southbound State Route 67, directly in the path of a 2004 Toyota Prius that was heading north.

The Prius, driven by an 83-year-old Ramona woman, broadsided the Dodge, which flipped over and came to rest on its roof. The Dodge driver was airlifted to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, where she succumbed to her injuries, says Officer Matthew Baranowski with the California Highway Patrol.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo via Cal Fire on Twitter

Update September 6, 2022:  Cause of the fire was an improperly maintained vehicle, Cal Fire confirms.  The #CaesarFire is now 100% ontained at 50 acres; all evacuation orders have been lifted.

Update 7 p.m.:   The  Sheriff’s Department has lifted most evacuation orders and warnings, though residents in and around the fire perimeter are still under an evacuation order. A map of the remaining evacuation order is available at https://emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.html.

September 5, 2022 (Ramona) -- The #CaesarFire has charred 50 acres in a blaze that started north of Highway 78 at Ramona Trails Drive in the Witch Creek area east of Ramona, Cal Fire reports.  The fire sparked evacuations due to structure threats but forward spread has now been halted. 

A temporary evacuation point is set up at Olive Pierce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, Ramona. An animal evacuation shelter is open at the Ramona Rodeo Grounds, 421 Aqua Lane in Ramona.

East County News Service

July 27, 2022 (Ramona) – Luis Miguel Sanabria Rosas, 34, of Ramona died July 22 at the scene of a solo vehicle crash on eastbound San Pasqual Valley Road.  Rosas’ vehicle plummeted down an embankment, striking a boulder.

A passing motorist saw the accident and called 911.  Law enforcement and paramedics responded; paramedics pronounced him dead without medical intervention due to fatal trauma.

East County News Service 

June 28, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- A man suspected in a series of burglaries at a self-storage facility is behind bars after stolen items, including firearms, were found in his East County home, says Lieutenant Shawn Wray.

Source:  Ramona Community Foundation

April 20, 2022 (Ramona) - Ramona Community Foundation (RCF), an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, announced the availability of grant funding to enhance the quality of life for those who live, work and play in Ramona. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2022 (Ramona) – Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona will host a hands-on “Camel Camp” April 29-May 1 for adults age 18 and up. Enjoy midnight at the Oasis – and the rest of the time, too.   The fun starts with a meet and greet at the dairy on Friday, April 29, to meet fellow campers, staff and camels while enjoying camel milk chocolate s’mores and other snacks.

Source: Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Murals

February 9, 2022 (Ramona) -- Looking for some fun exercise? How about a walk to view Ramona’s murals and count the hidden hearts? Then check out your blood pressure and maybe win a home blood pressure monitor. And it will all be good for your heart (or H.E.A.R.T.)

East County News Service

November 26, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – What could be merrier than a Holiday Wine Trail in the country featuring 17 local wineries? This year, the Ramona Holiday Wine Trail is extended for a full month, each Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 28 to Dec. 19.

Coyote rehabilitated at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center

East County News Service

November 18, 2021 (Ramona) – A not-so-wily coyote has been rescued from inside a car bumper, where it became trapped after being struck by a motorist. (No reports of any roadrunners or Acme products in the vicinity). Fortunately, the senior female coyote is now back in the wild, after treatment at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center.

The amazing rescue was documented on video on November 1, when San Diego Humane Society’s Humane Law Enforcement was dispatched to rescue an animal lodged in the bumper of a car in a San Marcos parking lot. 

The person who hit the coyote did not realize that she was stuck in his bumper and was inside a Ralphs grocery store when another shopper noted a "dog" in the bumper and called for help. The car’s owner was alerted to the situation when he came out of the Ralphs.

East County News Service

November 14, 2021 (Ramona) -- On Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 26-28 from 12 to 2 p.m., Oasis Camel Dairy invites you to the return of Pomegranate Days along with an open farm tour.  The festivities include a live show featuring racing turkeys, talking parrots and camels.  

You can also feed apple treats to camels, take a camel ride, or shop for gifts such as camel’s milk soaps, lotions, bath products, chocolates and more. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  fall foliage along Highway 78 in Ramona Valley