May 2, 2013 (Lake Moreno) -- History comes alive for the next two weeks at a pre-1840 North American fur trade encampment in East County. It's all part of the 20th annual Manzanita High Mountain Rendezvous. 

March 19, 2013 (Lake Morena) – Community members are pitching in to help Lake Morena resident Julie Atherton, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is having surgery on March 28. Atherton works for the Mountain Empire Health at the Campo Community Center.

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser to help defray her medical expenses will be held on April 19 from 6-9 p.m. at the Mountain Empire Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road in Campo.  A silent auction will also be held. 

March 6, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The County of San Diego is hosting a variety of unique events at parks countywide, include several East County and inland area locations: Agua Caliente Regional Park in the Anza Borrego Desert,  Lake Morena, Lakeside Community Center, Spring Valley Community Center,  Sweetwater Summit Regional Park and Campground in Bonita, Sycamore Canyon/Goodan Ranch Preserve, Vallecito County Park, Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve, Wilderness Gardens Presere, and William Heise County Park in Julian.

Scroll down for detailed listings of activities at each park. For information on park locations and more, also see http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/parks/

January 26, 2013 (Campo) -- Underage drinkers, empty lots littered with empty beer bottles and irresponsible alcohol retailers have residents speaking out after a recent community meeting to voice their concerns about youth access to alcohol in Back Country areas.

Boulevard resident Tammy Daubach said she noticed teens drinking in the empty lot near her home in Boulevard. She explained kids frequent the empty lot to ride their BMX bikes on the dirt tracks. “When the kids need to fill their motor bikes at the gas station nearby, they gas up and get their stuff. You constantly see the trash back there. We’ll go out with bags to pick it all up and find chips and wine coolers and little liquor bottles, all of that.”

September 9, 2012 (San Diego) -- East County Parks are hosting an abundance of events throughout the month of September.  There’s something for everyone, both young and old.  Below is a sampling of what’s available.  Visit www.sdparks.org for all events.

Update 7:50 p.m. - A resident at the scene reports the fire is now under control and nearly extinguished.

Update 5:39 p.m. - Incident Page Network reports the fire is now 15 acres, spreading fast and moving toward structures.

July 9, 2012 (Lake Morena) – A three acre fire is burning off Bass Road in Lake Morena, Cal Fire Captain Mike Mohler has informed ECM.   “It sounds like crews can hold it,” said Mohler, who called while on the road.

Two additional air tankers and one additional helicopter have been ordered to assist in dousing the blaze, he said.  “There are structures in the area but as of now, they are not threatened.”

April 14, 2012 (Lake Morena) -- Take a relaxing and easy hike at Lake Morena Regional County Park on April 21 at 2:30 p.m., at 2550 Lake Morena Drive, Campo. During the hike you will learn about native plants in the area, and how the Kumeyaay Indians utilized the natural vegetation in their daily lives. You will also learn the history of Lake Morena.

Update August 29, 2011 -  According to the Cleveland National Forest Inciweb http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2541/ the fire is 40 percent contained and has burned 120 acres.  The Deerhorn Valley Antler confirms planes are continuing to scoop water to combat the blaze today.   Cost to fight this fire was $200,000 and lightning was the cause.

 April 27, 2011 (Campo) -- On Saturday, May 7, 2011 the Mountain Empire Business Association is presenting its 5th  Annual Campo/Lake Morena Round Up at the Eagles Wings Ranch in Campo. The event will feature Old West  gunfights, vendors, antique tractor display, ranch branding competition, petting corral and pony rides.

Yahoo and yippee too! It’s that time of year again to take your family out for some good, old-fashioned western fun, at the fourth annual Campo Lake Morena Annual Round up on May first.

Put on by the Mountain Empire Business Association, a group of businesses, community organizations, ranches and churches dedicated to promoting economic development and enhancing local quality of life, the group aims to "sustain and enhance the rural character of each community, enhance citizen involvement and establish a regional awareness that the Mountain Empire area is still 'Just Country.'"

The Annual Roundup is lively proof.