By Miriam Raftery

June 11, 2015 (Alpine) – Alpine residents seeking to force the Grossmont Union High School District to turn over $70 million in bond funds and land acquired for construction of an Alpine High School will finally have their day in court.  Judge Joel Pressman ruled against Grossmont on Friday, refusing to dismiss the case and requiring that the money be set aside pending outcome of the trial.

The proceeding will be an administrative trial before Judge Pressman set for December 4^th with the Alpine Union School District and the Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability squaring off against the GUHSD. A 3-judge appellate court panel previously denied Grossmont’s request for a stay to stop the proceedings, a move affirmed Friday by Pressman. The County Grand Jury also found that the district did not live up to its obligation to Alpine taxpayers and recommended that the district build the high school or turn over the money to the Alpine Union High School District to build the school.  The district's board majority defied the Grand Jury and did neither.

The plaintiffs contend that Grossmont misallocated millions of dollars from Propositions U and H,  spending much of the $700 million measures approved by voters for projects not listed in the bond while refusing to build the Alpine High School that was a priority project in the bond measures.

Cliff LaPlant is honored by peers and jurors for high-quality photography.



May 14, 2015 (Alpine) – A photograph created by Cliff LaPlant, www.sierralara.com ) of Alpine, California has recently been accepted into the Motif Collective Galleries of Artists Showcase for the 2015 Landscape Photographic Competition. LaPlant’s work is now on display in the Online Gallery at www.motifcollective.com.  This International Photographic Competition is held monthly supporting Fine Art Photographers from around the world.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated April 24, 2015 with response from Alpine Education Association and details on the fundraising event.

April 22, 2015 (Alpine) – Some Alpine parents were surprised to learn that children in the fifth grade at Alpine Elementary School were assigned to paint wine glasses and beer steins for an upcoming fundraising event organized by the Alpine Education Foundation.

Part V in a series

By the East County Eaters

Week 5: Mediterraneo Italian Bar & Bistro and The Brigantine Seafood & Oyster Bar

April 17, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--For this week’s series, our Eaters returned to savor happy hour specials at two local favorites: Mediterraneo Italian Bar & Bistro in Alpine and The Brigantine on Mt. Helix.  The first offers divine Italian food in a European-style ambience, the second specializes in seafood served up amid a nautical theme.  Both are delightful and unexpected “finds” for newcomers in East County—so it’s no wonder that each of these restaurants are popular gathering spots for locals in the know.

April 10, 2015 (Alpine) – The 18^th annual Sage & Songbirds Garden Tour on May 1-3 will feature five private home gardens plus a hummingbird haven and a raptor rehabilitation facility for close-up viewing of wildlife.

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2015 (Alpine) – Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman has issued a tentative ruling in the Alpine Union School District’s lawsuit against the Grossmont Union High School District over funding for an Alpine high school.

By Miriam Raftery

March 20, 2015 (Alpine) – Lou Russo, an outspoken former member of the Alpine Community Planning Group, may soon be back on the board, the Registrar of Voters office has confirmed.

James Roe defeated Russo on the November ballot, but moved out of the area for a job prior to the election and is thus ineligible to take the seat.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

March 11, 2015 (Alpine) – Two horses running loose in Alpine early this morning were hit by vehicles, and one horse is dead. The California Highway Patrol is trying to find out who owns the horses; if you have information please call Animal Control at 619-498-2305.

East County News Service

March 4, 2015 (Alpine) – A panel of three appellate court justices have denied a request by the Grossmont Union High School District, which had asked the justices to issue a stay halting an injunction ordered by Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman.

February 19, 2015 (Alpine)--The Alpine-based nonprofit ARCHES is offering the cooking workshop Let’s Make Hearty Soups from 10:00 AM to 1 PM on Saturday February 28 at Alpine Ranch Chiropractic located at 450 Summerhill Court in Alpine. The workshop will be taught by Nancy Teas-Crain, RD.

January 27, 2015 (Alpine)--Happy Valentine’s Day! You’re invited to come celebrate the “perfect romantic evening” at Mediterraneo Bistro on Saturday February 14, 2015. Enjoy a Special Menu & extensive wine List on this lovely day.

Photo, top left:  Gil Frank and Melissa Medina

Photo, top right: Linda Frank Luz (center, in white) with her extended family

By Leon Thompson

January 4, 2015 (Alpine)--A very special holiday party and family reunion took place at the Mediterraneo Italian Bistro in Alpine on Saturday, December 20^th.   

Linda Frank Luz is the mother of Gilbert Frank III, co-owner with Enzo Croce of Alpine’s popular upscale restaurant.  She’s the perfect hostess, welcoming and introducing friends and family from as far away as Portugal and Brazil. The Frank and Croce families have long colorful histories in San Diego, from humble fishermen to a fleet of tuna boats to bankers then hotels and restaurants. 

I felt honored to be there, invited as a longtime friend of the restaurant, chef and owners.  I was surrounded by warm and hospital people with movie-star good looks.

Viejas Tribal government staff, Casino & Resort team members and guests helped reach toy drive goal

Link to video from Toy Drive “Big Reveal”:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3c8rQTaZqUCY0J5b0JFT193c0U/view?usp=sharing

December 16, 2014 (Alpine)--One of the biggest annual holiday toys drives in San Diego County just set a new record. The 2014 Viejas Toy Drive to support the local Salvation Army exceeded its goal …raising a total of 14,702 toys.

By Miriam Raftery

December 7, 2014 (Alpine)—The Alpine Tavern & Grill hosts an “Injunction Function” last week, donating 20% of the evening’s proceeds to help fund a lawsuit against the Grossmont Union High School District over its failure to build an Alpine High School despite two bond measures approved by voters.