East County News Service

November 6, 2015 (Mission Trails) –Join San Diego City Councilmember Scott Sherman, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, and La Mesa Councilmember Kristine Alessio on Saturday, November 7th at 10:00 a.m. at the East Kwaay Paay Trailhead, just west of Bushy Hill Drive and the Kumeyaay Lake Campground, on Father Junipero Serra Trail to officially launch Mission Trails Regional Park’s new 5-Peak Challenge program.

The 5-Peak Challenge involves hiking to the summit of the five highest peaks in the park: Cowles Mountain (1,592’), Pyles Peak (1,579’), North Fortuna (1,291’), Kwaay Paay (1,194’) and South Fortuna (1,094’).   Complete the challenge by hiking to the summit of all five peaks in any order and within your own timeframe. This will provide you the opportunity to discover all the less-visited areas of the park.  After completing the 5-Peak Challenge, not only will you have seen San Diego from different perspectives, but you may also adopt your new favorite hiking trail along the way.   

Here’s how to officially complete the 5-Peak Challenge: http://mtrp.org/five_peaks01

Next benefit planned December 4th

By Janis Russell

November 3, 2015 (Lakeside)- Nearly $5,000 was raised at an October 23^rd benefit event to help fund search efforts to find Elijah ‘Bear’ Diaz, who has been missing since August 29th.  The event, which drew 218 guests, was held at the Loretta Quitae LaChappa Clubhouse near Barona Resort and Casino in Lakeside. The funds will help the family hire a private investigator.

Story and photos by Leon Thompson

October 24, 2015 (Lakeside) - - An overflow crowd was on hand to witness the dedication ceremony for the newly completed Cedar Fire Historic Monument on Saturday October 14^th at the Lakeside Fire District headquarters.  The monument includes a pocket park and honors first responders, those lost in the fire, as well as the strength and resilience of the survivors.

“Thou shalt not” is soon forgotten, but “Once upon a time” lasts forever.” (Philip Pullman)

October 22, 2015 (Santee and Escondido)--Tellabration is a global celebration of the art of oral storytelling.  Storytelling is the conveying of events in words, images and sounds, often by improvisation or embellishment.  Stories or narratives have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation and in order to instill moral values.  Crucial elements of stories and storytelling include plot, characters and narrative point of view.

By Miriam Raftery

October 10, 2015 (El Cajon ) – The family of Elijah “Bear” Diaz, 20,  who vanished on August 29^th, will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and raffle at Barona Clubhouse on October 23, 2015 at 6 p.m. 

“Since we believe Bear is not missing on his own terms, the family has hired a private investigator which these funds will go toward,” Katey Hoffman told East County Magazine. She is working with Lelanie Thompson,  Bear’s mother.

The cost is $10 and includes spaghetti, garlic bread, salad, drinks and desert.  Raffle tickets are $5 and prizes include jewelry, art, cooking wares, and gift cards.  Donations of additional raffle prizes are welcome.

October 7, 2015 (Lakeside) – Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) will host a legislative open house at the Lakeside Community Center, 9841 Vine St. in Lakeside on Wednesday, October 28 from 4 to 7 p.m.

East County News Service

October 4, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—Caltrans is weighing whether or not to grant state scenic highway designation of State Route 52 from Mast Boulevard in Santee to Santo Road in San Diego, where the highway passes through Mission Trails Regional Park.  Preserve Wild Santee began seeking the designation in 2012 and the San Diego City Council passed a unanimous resolution in support in 2013, yet Caltrans has not yet taken action.

Save Mission Trails and Preserve Wild Santee are both asking the public to send letters urging support of the scenic highway designation to preserve the natural beauty of this area from projects such a power plant proposal recently withdrawn by the developer.  Save Mission Trails has provided a sample letter that you can sign and send to those listed below.

Note to our readers: Please send us your best photos taken alone highway 52 between Mast and Santos Road! We will publish the most scenic and beauitful photos.

East County News Service

September 29, 2015 (Santee)—Santana High School Principal Tim Schwuchow has notified parents in a letter about two incidents last week in which female students were reportedly followed by a white Chevrolet pickup truck.

September 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--On Saturday, March 5, 2016 the cities of La Mesa and Santee will hold one of their most grand traditions, the Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee scholarship pageants.  The pageant is currently seeking outgoing residents ages 12-26 to participate in a program that has been a tradition in the cities since the late 1960’s and is an outstanding mentoring program for young women.  The pageants are sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce and focus on community service, networking, improving public speaking and interview skills and overall personal growth.

September 22, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Do-it-yourselfers in Fallbrook, Lakeside, Ramona and Spring Valley can score a free new oil filter for their car Saturday, Sept. 26 just by turning in a used one, thanks to the County of San Diego’s Department of Public Works and O’Reilly Auto Parts.

By Mike Allen

September 21, 2015 (El Cajon)--Michael Wayne Morse was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and elder abuse in connection with the killing of his mother in 2013.

Morse, 51, was charged in 2014 with murdering his mother, Louise.  She was an invalid and living with her son at her home on Arly Court in Santee at the time of her death.

By Mike Allen

Photo, left: Parc One artist's rendering

September 19, 2015 (Santee)--Two long-planned residential projects in Santee moved ahead this summer, with the Parc One apartment complex nearing its opening and the larger, more controversial Castlerock development looking to obtain final permits to begin construction, possibly later this year.

Castlerock, a project that’s been in the works for about 12 years, should go before the Local Area Formation Commission in October, said developer Pardee Homes.

September 11, 2015 (Santee)--The death of a 79-year-old San Diego woman on Sept. 8 and the recent hospitalization of an 80-year-old Santee woman are under investigation as probable West Nile virus cases, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today. The 80-year-old woman is currently recovering.

East County News Service

September 7, 2015 (Lakeside) – Residents of El Monte Valley and other community members concerned about a massive sand mining project proposed in Lakeside are invited to join a meeting convened by the Preserve El Monte Action Coalition.  The meeting will be held Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Lakeside Christian Church, 13739 El Monte Road in Lakeside.

The goal will be to help residents frame concerns to address them in writing to the County of San Diego.