By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2017 (Alpine) – The largest outdoor ice rink in Southern California is now open for the season  (through January 28) at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine, transforming the grounds into a winter wonderland.  On Saturday, November 11, the rink will feature a Holiday on Ice  show and lighting of a large holiday see.

By Miriam Raftery

October 18, 2017 (Alpine) -- No, Ariele Brooke and I didn't just plop down into a movie scene from "Jurassic Park." 

But we did find the last remaining dinosaur  statue from Dinosaur Land, a roadside attraction in the early 1960s, that still stands today along a creek bed in the Alpine Mobile Home Estates on Alpine Boulevard in Alpine, California. 

East County News Service

October 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) this week announced a $100,000 charitable grant to purchase essential equipment and medical apparatus for San Diego County Fire and rural fire agencies to better serve local communities and protect the region from future fires.

Source: Alpine Historical Societiy

June 3, 2017 (Alpine) -- Alpine History Day is Saturday, June 3 from 11 am to 2 pm at the John DeWitt Museum, 2116 Tavern Road, Alpine.

New attractions this year include the Waterwise & Butterflies Garden, the JMMS Robotics Team, Alpine Amigo's 4H Club with their chickens, piglets, and goats, the California Note Catchers, a chorus singing in four-part harmony, Animals & Animals reptile petting zoo, and the newest exhibit in the Beaty House: Alpine, Then and Now, which explores the changes in Alpine landscape and lifestyle through photos and objects from the Alpine Historical Society's collections.

Honey Festival coming up this Saturday, March 11

Source: Alpine Chamber of Commerce

Photos by Kathy Foster Photography for the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce

March 7, 2017 (Alpine) -- The first Queen Bee Tea was a honey of a show on March 5 in Alpine.  Almost 100 guests attended the Honey Festival kick-off event, turning the Alpine Community Center at 1830 Alpine Blvd. into a hive of chatter, fanciful bee bonnets, fashion show, free photo booth, opportunity drawings, contests and special vendors. 

By Miriam Raftery

February 26, 2017 (Alpine) – Alpnie was once known as the honey production capital of the world.  Now here’s the buzz:  On Saturday, March 11 from 10 to 4, Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce will present the first annual Honey Festival to celebrate the region’s sweet success.

By Ben Locke, Alpine resident

January 31, 2017 (Alpine) -- Located at http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/pds/generalplan.html is the County website for the General Plan (GP).  As you may have heard, a GP update will be taking place for Alpine over the next 18 months.  The preamble to the GP states that it is:  “…a framework for the future growth and development of the unincorporated areas of the County.”  And that it “…is based on a set of guiding principles designed to protect the County’s unique and diverse natural resources and maintain the character of its rural and semi-rural communities. It reflects an environmentally sustainable approach to planning that balances the need for adequate infrastructure, housing, and economic vitality, while maintaining and preserving each unique community within the County, agricultural areas, and extensive open space.”  Finally, it states that it:  “…reflects the County’s commitment to  a sustainable growth model that facilitates efficient development near infrastructure and services, while respecting sensitive natural resources and protection of existing community character in its extensive rural and semi-rural communities. The General Plan provides a renewed basis for the County’s diverse communities to develop Community Plans that are specific to and reflective of their unique character and environment consistent with the County’s vision for its future."

East County News Service

January 8, 2017 (Alpine) – Authorities recovered a stolen U-Haul truck on Friday, filled with other stolen property.

An Alpine Sheriff’s deputy was patrolling the lot of a local casino and spotted the stolen U-Haul truck.  With help from casino security, the deputy located the truck’s two occupants, Kimberly White, 47, and Salomon Saenz, 60. 

By Miriam Raftery

Next up: Alpine General Plan amendments to be considered in 2017

December 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)—By a  4 to 1 vote with Supervisor Dave Roberts opposed,  San Diego Supervisors on Wednesday voted to approve a Forest Conservation Initiative Lands General Plan Amendment, along with community plan amendments, rezoning and  certification of a supplemental environmental review. The action paves the way for development of parcels  in the Alpine and Descanso areas that were formerly protected under the Forest Conservation Initiative passed by voters, but that has since expired due to a sunset provision in 2010.

Travis Lyon, chair of the Alpine Community Planning Group, reports that the Supervisors “took all the recommendations ACPG made at the last meeting.” 

Jack Shu, president of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation,  said after the hearing, “The bottom line is that the County has moved to do away with what the voters – two thirds of them—wanted in 1993 to protect our local Forest."

Update:   The deceased child has been identified as Leah Brown-Meza. The autopsy result has been sealed as an investigation continues.

East County News Service

December 7, 2016 (Alpine) — Sheriff’s homicide and child abuse detectives are investigating the death of an Alpine toddler under suspicious circumstances.

Sheriff’s deputies and paramedics responded to a 911 call reporting an 18-month-old girl was found not breathing, shortly before noon yesterday.  The child was in a motorhome parked at 302 Hunter Lane in Alpine.

East County News Service

September 13, 2016 (Alpine) -- The Forest Conservation Initiative (FCI) Lands General Plan Amendment (GPA) will be on the agenda for the September 22, 2016 meeting of the Alpine Community Planning Group.  This meeting begins at 6:00 pm in the Alpine Community Center at 1830 Alpine Boulevard, Alpine. 

 County staff will present the following:

September 2, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- Our latest newsletter just came out --with all the hottest news and events impacting you in East County all in one single-page newsletter.  You can view the latest edition here.   

To get a free subscription to our weekly newsletter-- and also the option to get free wildfire and emergency alerts, click here. 

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East County News Service

July 22, 2016 (Alpine) - If you're looking for something fun for the family to do in Alpine, these events should satisfy everyone!

By Miriam Raftery

June 9,2016 (Alpine) –The Alpine Union School District’s board has voted unanimously to file an appeal of a decision by Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman, who ruled against the AUSD and Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability in their case against the Grossmont Union High School District. The taxpayers group has previously announced that it will also appeal the ruling.

The groups argue that Grossmont should turn over Prop H bond money that voters approved with the intent to build a high school in Alpine. Judge Pressman sided with Grossmont, finding that the bond measure allowed but did not require construction of the school.

Source: U.S. Forest Service

June 6, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- The Descanso Ranger District in Alpine, and the Palomar Ranger District in Ramona, have recently gained over 30 years’ experience between them with the addition of 2 new district rangers. Christopher Dowling for the Palomar, and Bob Heiar for the Descanso, both come from an extensive Forestry background and have already begun making substantial head weight on improving recreational opportunities, enhancing community protection, and enforcing ecological restoration. Forest Supervisor William Metz believes the expertise and timing couldn’t be better, "This comes at a crucial time as we head into fire season and begin preparations on the ground. Our focus is to meet the mission of public safety by increasing resources and expanding expertise, demonstrating our continued commitment to the people of San Diego County.