Blossom Valley

NEIGHBORS ANGRY TO FIND FIVE SEX OFFENDERS SECRETLY PLACED IN THEIR LAKESIDE NEIGHBORHOOD

By Henri Migala

September 12, 2022 (Lakeside) -  Families, neighbors and their supporters gathered in Lakeside on Blossom Valley Road to protest five sex offenders secretly placed in their neighborhood in the past couple of weeks.

In a story that happens all too frequently in East County, approximately 100 residents and community members expressed their surprise, fear and outrage at finding out that their quiet, family-friendly community was housing convicted sex offenders. Not one, or two, but five – all in one home.


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SUSPECTED HORSE RAPIST IN BLOSSOM VALLEY: STABLED HORSE FOUND TIED UP

 

 

By Ana Nita

December 4, 2018 (Blossom Valley) -- “When I came down to feed in the morning, I heard this horse, Gretchen, banging on the door and she never does that,” said Marilyn Gramse of El Cajon. She found Gretchen, one of three horses she is boarding at her ranch, tied up inside her stall. “I walked over there and went, oh, my God, she had this rope tied around her right rear leg pulling up and the rope coming around her neck and coming back around by her foot and her tail was up, tied, and attached to one of the bars.” 


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FORMER GROSSMONT COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACH KILLED BY WIFE IN MURDER-SUICIDE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Dave Jordan in 2012, courtesy of Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

September 2, 2018 (El Cajon) – A Blossom Valley couple, David Wesley Jordan, 82, and his wife, Jean Adele Jordon, 83, died of gunshots to their heads in an apparent murder-suicide, the Medical Examiner’s office has concluded.

A physical therapist told Sheriff’s homicide investigators that upon arrival at the home on Toya Lane in unincorporated El Cajon at 8 a.m. Friday, a note was on the sliding glass door.  The therapist entered the home and found the couple’s bodies in the living room.  A revolver was in Jean Jordan’s hands.

David Jordan was a long-time football coach at Grossmont College, where he led the team to a statewide championship title in 2005 and won many honors for his coaching.


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ANIMAL TALES: DYNAMIC DUO DOGS' BEST FRIEND

 

Stephanie Nisan, the professor, and Rebecca Weinrib

By Mimi Pollack

August 27, 2015 (Blossom Valley)--Making a difference in the world seems to be the motto that Blossom Valley resident Rebecca Weinrib and Stephanie Nisan live by, especially in the world of homeless dogs. Together, they founded The Animal Pad in 2010, a rescue organization for dogs, with their own unique vision.


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PIT BULL ATTACK ON HORSE AND RIDER IN BLOSSOM VALLEY: SECOND ATTACK AT SAME ADDRESS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Updated December 31, 2014 with link to 10 News story and response from the County Animal Control Department.

December 29, 2014 (Blossom Valley) –For the second time in three years, a pit bull running loose has viciously attacked a horse and rider outside the same Blossom Valley residence.

“Me and my horse were attacked yesterday,” Stacey Russell told East County Magazine.  According to Russell, a bluish-gray pit bull dog seriously injured her horse outside 10937 Quail Canyon – the same address where a similar attack occurred in 2011.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY IS THE 12TH HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT STILL AN ISSUE IN THE GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT?

By Bill Weaver, candidate for the GUHSD board

October 28, 2012 (Alpine) – Why is building a 12th high school for the Grossmont Union High School District in Alpine still an issue?

Because it was twice funded by public initiative bond measures, Prop H ($274 M) and Prop U ($417 M), Further, HS12 is a money maker for the GUHSD, the one and ONLY bond project predicted to make money, and attract new students and California Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding, per GUHSD Demographer Mr. Vince O'Hara. There are over 1200 students that would attend, and this would alleviate overcrowding at Granite Hills HS, now populated at around 2800 students (and SAVE money by reducing physical campus needed added classrooms using up bond money because 600 fewer students would be at GHHS).


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PADRE DAM BOARD APPROVES NEW MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING WITH EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATIONS

 
April 20, 2012 (Santee) -- The Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors approved new Memorandum’s of Understanding (MOU) between the District and the Padre Dam Employees’ Association (PDEA) and the Mid-Management and Confidential Association (MMCA) today. The new MOUs will facilitate a significant change, requiring employees’ to pay a larger portion into the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) among other items that will save ratepayer dollars.

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PETITION LAUNCHED TO OVERTURN BOUNDARY CHANGES IN GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT


By Miriam Raftery

 
January 7, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A petition has been launched by residents of the Grossmont Union High School District asking the Board to rescind boundary changes that impact approximately 3,675 current students as well as many more future students.  Gregory Kerrebrock, who launched the online petition, says many homeowners and parents were never notified.  “Our voices were not heard in the original decision making process,” the petition reads.  “Do you know how this may affect you or your school children or property value?” 

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DREAM DOGS LOOKING FOR FOREVER HOMES

By Cate Sacks

November 12, 2011 (Blossom Valley) -- News from Facebook, Therapy dog Howard has passed all the training to become a therapy or service dog. This boy is simply awesome. He is gentle, submissive and kind. I have never heard him bark, and he is happy just "being"..whether than means with the other dogs, people, children or just by himself. He is a young boy who has been rounded off to a year old. His body is that of a boxer but his look is that of a chesapeake bay retriever...an amazing combination that is hard to find. He sleeps quietly in his crate and learns quickly.  

 


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PUBLIC INVITED TO EAST COUNTY CLEANUP AND RECYCLING EVENT NOV. 15

 Event Follows EnviroFair for Los Coches Creek Students on “America Recycles Day”


November 11 (2011) -- The community is invited to join “America Recycles Day” on Tuesday, Nov. 15, with a neighborhood cleanup and recycling event, which follows an all day “EnviroFair” for students at Los Coches Creek Middle School in Blossom Valley.
  

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FOR “MUSTANG MAN” WHO DARED TO DREAM, A SPIRITED JOURNEY CONTINUES

By Miriam Raftery
Video by Billy Ortiz  https://www.facebook.com/LakesideCaliforniaHistory/videos/1389484353508/

 

There comes a time in life when a person may decide to take a chance—to do something wild, so daring that it challenges the spirit and nurtures the soul.


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THERAPY DOG TRAINING IN BLOSSOM VALLEY

August 14, 2011 (Blossom Valley) – Does your dog have what it takes to become a therapy dog, comforting patients in hospitals and other special settings?

 

“Any dog can become a therapy dog if the owner has time and commitment to do the work,” says Cate Sacks at Shelter Dogs to Dream Dogs in Blossmon Valley.

 


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GUHSD BOUNDARY COMMITTEE TO PRESENT REPORT THURSDAY

 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.


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PARAGLIDER WITH BACK INJURY RESCUED


June 15, 2011 (Blossom Valley) – A paraglider called for help after crashing into a mountainside and suffering a back injury in Blossom Valley on the evening of June 13th.

 

He was hoisted out via helicopter and taken to El Monte Park in Lakeside. Mercy Air then transported the injured man to a local hospital.


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NEW DISTRICT BOUNDARIES PROPOSED FOR GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT: MEETING JUNE 2 FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

May 27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Two proposed options for new boundary lines in the Grossmont Union High School District will be presented by the District’s Boundary Committee at a public meeting on Thursday, June 2 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Instructional Resource Classroom, 301 North Mollison Avenue in El Cajon.

 

One plan, Model 12, includes redrawn boundaries to include a 12th new high school planned in Alpine. An alternative plan, Model 9, provides a contingency in case the Alpine High School is not built and redraws boundaries for the District’s nine existing non-chartered high schools.

“This is a watershed meeting,” said Doug Deane, chairman of the committee. “If there are different viewpoints, people need to speak June 2 at our meeting….Every high school will be affected, whether or not there is a twelfth high school built.”


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DREAM DOGS: DOGS & PUPPIES NEED HOMES

 

By Cate Sacks

www.shelterdogstodreamdogs.com

March 14, 2011 (Blossom Valley) – Looking for a great companion, therapy dog, or family dog? Check out these graduates of our “Shelter Dogs to Dream Dogs” training. All dogs and pups have learned manners, respect, and basic obedience and are ready for their new, forever homes.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: DOG ATTACK ON HORSE AND RIDER RAISES CONCERN OVER COUNTY’S SLOW RESPONSE

By Marilyn Gramse

 

March 3, 2011 (Blossom Valley) – On Monday, February 28, two equestrians were riding on the County designated trail on Quail Canyon. When they approached  a home in the 10,000 block of Quail Canyon, a pit bull dog and the owner came out to the equestrians. The pit bull began sniffing the horses, bit the rider, and attacked the horse--going for the throat. The horse, struggling for its life, began to circle, dumping the rider.


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NEW TRAIL OPENS AT EL MONTE PARK


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SHELTER DOGS TO DREAM DOGS: EL CAJON WOMAN HELPS 500 ABANDONED PETS FIND HOME


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SKETCH RELEASED OF SUSPECT WHO ATTACKED TEEN JOGGER IN EAST COUNTY


September 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore has released a sketch of a man suspected of assaulting and trying to kidnap a 19-year-old woman on Saturday at 5 p.m. The teen was jogging near Quail Canyon Road and Palomino Ridge in the Blossom Valley community.


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ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OF TEEN JOGGER IN EAST COUNTY

 

September 6, 2010 (Blossom Valley) – A man driving a white van with tinted rear windows attempted to kidnap a teen jogging in Blossom Valley yesterday around 5:15 p.m. The suspect, a white or Hispanic male, age 20-35, was wearing a Padres baseball cap. He reportedly tackled the  woman, 19, from behind and tried to drag her into the bushes, tearing her clothing.

 

“He lost his balance and fell down, which allowed her to escape,” Sergeant Brent Strahm at the San Diego Sheriff’s Department told East County Magazine.

 


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DO YOU OWN THE TOP DOG? FIND OUT AUG. 16!

 

August 5, 2009 (El Cajon) -- Want to teach an old dog some new tricks?

 

Enter your canine companion in a fun-filled dog competition on Sunday, August 16 at 3 p.m. at the Challenge Ranch, 5973 Stallion Oaks Road in El Cajon.  Games, classes and contests are all part of the fun.

 

 

 

Entry categories include:

 


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THERAPY DOGS NEEDED: TRAINING OFFERED IN BLOSSOM VALLEY

 

July 19, 2009 (Blossom Valley)—Therapy dogs are needed to visit hospitals, schools, and homes of elderly people, bringing smiles to the faces of patients, students and seniors. Training is now available for dog owners who wish to have their animals take a Therapy Dog International (TDI) test on August 9th.

 


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BLOSSOM VALLEY CONSERVATION DAY MAY 30 OFFERS ENERGY& WATER SAVING TIPS

May 27, 2009 (Blossom Valley) -- The Blossom Valley Water Task Force announces it will host an Energy & Water Conservation Day on Saturday, May 30th from 1 to 4 p.m.

 

"If you haven't heard by now, water deliveries will be cut to local agencies by 8 percent and a level 2 drought alert condition has been declared," a press release issued by the Task Force states. "As a community we need to continue to find ways to conserve our precious water and resources."

 


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