By Miriam Raftery

September 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—Traffic accidents claimed the lives of four East County residents in the past ten days, including victims from Lakeside, Ramona, and Alpine, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner. 

By Miriam Raftery

August 26, 2013 (Ramona) – The Ramona Water District Board is trying to oust one of its elected members. Last year, the board voted to change its meeting time from 4:30 to 2 o clock p.m.  But the director, Kit Kesinger, was absent and says he can’t attend meetings so early in the day.  He wants the board to change the time back to 4:30, when more members of the public can also attend.

By Miriam Raftery

August 16, 2013 (Ramona) – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating ""sextortion" threats allegedly made against 19 people including Cassidy Wolf, a former Ramona contestant who won the title Miss Teen USA on Saturday. 

According to NBC Today Show’s website, Wolf said she received an anonymous e-mail several months ago from a blackmailer who claimed to have stolen images from the webcam on her home computer.  The hacker reportedly threatened to publish the images unless Wolf would provide nude photos.

August 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A state court on Tuesday sided with a San Diego County ordinance that is bringing a bumper crop of boutique wineries to the backcountry.

The California Appellate Court affirmed a lower court ruling that upheld the legality of the 2010 winery initiative spearheaded by Supervisor Dianne Jacob. Barring an appeal to the state Supreme Court, the decision marks the conclusion of a three-year legal challenge.

July 26, 2013 (Ramona) – Two months after the County Department of Animal Services (DAS) impounded ten horses in Ramona, another 22 were seized from the same owner Monday.

DAS had been monitoring the herd belonging to Lori Patton since the original seizure May 23 to make sure the animals were getting the proper level of care. 

July 25, 2013 (Ramona) –The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites the public to one of East County’s most unique events, Watermelon Days on July 27 and 28 from 3-6 p.m.

The fun begins with an exotic bird show at 3 p.m., followed by a camel show at 4 p.m.  After that, you can feed watermelons to the camels, enjoy camel rides, and shop at the Camel Dairy store for gift items such as camel milk soaps and lotions.

July 18, 2013 (Ramona) – A hiker found dead on a trail at San Dieguito River Park on the San Pasqual Clevenger Trail has been identified as Ellen Turkish Comisso, 65, of La Jolla.

Two hikers found the victim in brush just off the trail on the morning of July 5 and called 911.  The San Diego Medical Examiner has found that her death was caused by hyperthermia, a condition most commonly associated with heat stroke.  It is unknown how long the victim had been deceased before she was found.

May 24, 2013 (Ramona)--The County Department of Animal Services (DAS) is investigating the death of a horse and is caring for another ten horses seized from an owner in Ramona late yesterday afternoon.      

DAS was called to Ramona Monday after a group of horses was found loose on Highway 78 Monday. CHP and CALFIRE returned them to a nearby property, and DAS began monitoring a herd of 30 horses at the location, noting that the animals lacked food and water. CALFIRE supplied some water, but the conditions prompted DAS to post a notice advising the horses’ owner the animals were subject to seizure.

Concerned neighbors also provided some feed to the horses, but based on the conditions officers found during a check yesterday, DAS seized all of the animals on the property.

Update: Aircraft have been released from the Ramona fire. Otay Fire has been stopped at 120 acres.

Photo by Paul Kruze

May 3, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- A 15-20 acre fire named Harvest Fire is burning near Otay Mountain.  It is east of Brown Field and is threatening a salvage yard, Cal Fire reports.  There are no threats to structures currently.

Cal-Fire is at the scene of a small brush fire in Ramona.  The fire is at the Ramona Canyon RV Park, 24340 Highway 78.  An air attack has been ordered.

Congressional legislation aims to halt June 15 closure of FAA tower, others

County  News Service

April 23, 2013 (San Diego)--The county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (4/23) urged federal lawmakers to approve pending legislation in Congress that would save the Ramona Airport traffic control tower. The board, on a 5-0 vote, endorsed a pair of bipartisan federal bills that would halt the June 15 closure of the East County facility, along with nearly 150 other towers funded by the Federal Aviation Administration.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo Courtesy 10 News

April 10, 2013 (Ramona) – Students and faculty at Ramona High School are reacting with shock and sadness to the death of Taylor Dorman, 16.  He was accidentally hit in the chest with a ball during an over –the-line game in physical education class late this morning. 

The teen initially showed no sign of trauma and continued playing the game, Assistant Principal Kathryn Gunderson told the U-T San Diego. But 20 minutes later, he collapsed after walking across the field with a friend.  A teacher called 911 and Mercy Air landed at the school to fly Taylor to Palomar Medical Center, where he died at approximately 4 p.m.

“He was a great young man,’ principal Tony Newman said, the Ramona Sentinel reporter. “He was very well-liked on campus…We will remember some good memories and keep them alive in our hearts and our thoughts and our conversations.”

By Miriam Raftery

March 29, 2013 (Ramona) – Today, San Diego County has filed a lawsuit seeking declaratory relief and an injunction to halt the U.S. Forest Service from reopening the trail to Cedar Creek Falls from Ramona’s San Diego Country Estates. The suit follows the USFS announcement that it plans to reopen the trailhead April 5th and implement a permit system for visitors. The falls and a natural swimming pool below are considered by some to be the most spectacular natural attractions in East County.

“The lawsuit is in response to the Forest Service’s decision to ignore both the public safety and fiscal concerns raised by the County during the appeal of the permit system plan,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob said in a press statement issued today. “Adequate law enforcement staffing must be in place before the trail is opened back up.  Either the Forest Service needs to be able to enforce its own rules, or pay the Sheriff’s Department to do it.”

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2013 (Ramona) –“It all started with my horses,” Tammy Rimes told ECM at the grand opening of Hacienda de las Rosas Winery’s new Mission-style tasting room in Ramona. 

In addition to Spanish-style wines, the opening featured dazzling displays of horsemanship, including riders in Peruvian-style attire demonstrating the Peruvian Paso breed’s unique gait, steady ride ( riders  carried glasses of champagne as they rode) and a “Marinera” dance that includes a stallion, rider, and dancer with swirling skirts.  (View video of the Marinera dance.)

March 12, 2013 (Ramona)--Vice-Chairwoman Dianne Jacob and Supervisor Ron Roberts will join disaster response experts at the Ramona Air Field today to urge the federal government to recognize that the Ramona Air Traffic Control Tower is a critical asset during county disasters, especially fires.

The Cal Fire Air Attack Base at the Ramona Air Field responds to an average of 450 calls per year and protects more than 1.7 million acres, including U.S. Forest Service land. The base played a key role in fighting the 2003 and 2007 wildfires. The county, along with Cal Fire, has made significant technology investments and upgrades to aircraft that fly from Ramona.       

In response to sequestration, the Federal Aviation Administration is proposing to close air traffic control towers deemed not crucial to the national interest. The County has learned that the Ramona Airport ATCT, operated under a FAA contract with Serco Inc., is targeted for closure. 

March 6, 2013 (Ramona) -- Gregg Beason, 45, died at Palomar Medical Center on March 4, 2013 of injuries sustained in an accident on March 1. 

Beason was driving a pickup when his vehicle was T-boned by another pickup at the intersection of Martin Road and Ramona Oaks Road.   Emergency responders extricated him from the vehicle and he was transported to the hospital, but did not survive.