September 19, 2011 – 1:50 p.m. – ECM has received reports of at least 6 serious incidents across our region:

September 15, 2011 (Alpine) – Alpine Kiwanis will host a Chili Cook-Off, along with the Show & Shine Car Show, at the Alpine Community Park this Saturday, September 17 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Enjoy music by the Legends, crafters, vendors, bratwurst, ice cream and more at the festivities.

The event will be held at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.

By Chuck Taylor, the Alpine Sun

By Miriam Raftery

August 27, 2011 (Alpine) – Blossom and Delilah, two bears rescued from a closed zoo in Oklahoma have arrived at their new home at Lions, Tigers & Bears in Alpine.

The animals were destined to be sold to a game ranch where they could be hunted and killed if not for the intervention of Bobbi Brink, owner of LTB, a rescue facility in Alpine.

August 10, 2011 (Alpine) – Robert Eugene Shy, 41, of Alpine, was driving his motorcycle eastbound on Interstate 8 west of Tavern Road August 9th at 9:18 p.m. when for unknown reasons he collided with the rear of a semi-truck.

Death was confirmed at the scene without medical intervention. Shy, who was divorced, resided in Alpine with his girlfriend, according to the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office.
 

August 4, 2011 (Alpine) -- Gary Spivey, internationally acclaimed psychic, medium and predictor of future events, will appear August 6 in the DreamCatcher at Viejas Casino. 

July 30, 2011 (Alpine) – Exotic birds from around the world will flock to the Alpine Library on July 30th at 1 p.m. for a very special program. Be sure to bring your camera! Learn about different bird species, habitats and behaviors, then come and play with the birds at this free family event.

July 13, 2011 (Alpine) – Late Monday night, thieves stole over 1,500 linear feet of half-inch steel from the fence traversing the Wright's Field Preserve in Alpine, Alpine Community Network reports.

The theft has been reported to the Sheriff and constitutes grand theft due to the value. Now the Back Country Land Trust is asking public help to identify the thieves.

 Proposal that could halt Alpine high school construction will also be heard by board

July 11, 2011 (El Cajon) – The Boundary Committee for the Grossmont Union High School District has adopted recommendations for shifting high school boundaries throughout the distirct.  The recommendations will be presented Thursday, to the GUHSD Boardat 6 p.m. in the East County Regional Education Center, 924 East Main Street in El Cajon.

Lines will be changing across East County. For example, on Mt. Helix many students now in the Grossmont High School district are proposed to shift to Monte Vista, a school with a far poorer academic record, to ease overcrowding at Grossmont. In Blossom Valley, proposed new lines would similarly shift some students to a poorer performing school, in Lakeside sparking protests from parents.

 
June 28, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Communities across San Diego's inland regions will host a variety of events celebrating Independence Day on Monday, July 4th including festivals, parades, picnics, an ice cream social, Western-themed events, and of course, fireworks. 
 
 
Below are highlights of celebrations planned in numerous East County and inland San Diego areas:

June 17, 2011 (Alpine) – For orchard owner Tim Scherer, this crime is the pits. Scherer, an East County resident in the Alpine area,  informs ECM that a band of men cleared out all the apricots off a tree in his orchard several days ago.

“The owners of the Alpine brewery said it had happened to others in the area,” Scherer said. “Whoever it is has professional equipment, because they even got the fruit from high up in the tree.”

June 11, 2011 (Alpine) Lions tigers and Bears is a big cat and exotic animal rescue service. It will  be celebrating Father's Day with a Tacos and Beer celebration.   

There will be a  taco cart  with a server on the premises making fresh tacos. The tacos and beer will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Margaritas can be purchased for $6.00 each. During the event, feel free to roam the grounds to see all of the amazing animals.

May 24, 2011 (Alpine) –Alpine Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Mary Tedesco advises that she received a phone call today from a resident who was called by a person claiming to be a representative from the Fireman’s Association—asking for a $500 donation.

“Firefighters DO NOT solicit for money,” Tedesco advised in a bulletin sent to the Alpine Community Network. “The only time we collect money is for the annual boot drive on the streets (in uniform) for the Burn Institute, and that takes place all over San Diego for just one day. Other than that.......NO PHONE CALLS OR ASKING FOR MONEY EVER!”