By Miriam Raftery

Photo: West Fire in Alpine, 2018

July 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Across California, some insurance companies have stopped writing policies for homes in areas at high risk for wildfires, even dropping policies for some long-standing customers, Voice of San Diego reported in mid-June. 

Now, Supervisor Dianne Jacob has written a letter on June 27 to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara urging him to take immediate action to “address the heavy-handed, blanket approach that insurance companies are currently utilizing to deny insurance though those who live in areas where wildfires may occur.” She also called on Lara to hold a public hearing in San Diego County on the issue, to allow residents to speak out and share concerns.

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2019 (San Diego) – The deadline is June 30th for the public to submit comments on the County of San Diego’s draft Zoning Ordinance Update for Small Cell Wireless Facilities. You can read the draft ordinance and supporting documents here. Read concerns about the ordinance here.  

By Lisa Marcolongo

Photo:  Camp Spero campers and their counselors, Kiana, Ashley, Lily, Victoria, Citlalli and Lorraine. Carrie Vines Photography

June 14, 2019 (Julian) - From May 31 through June 2, 100 children and teens from San Diego and Southwest Riverside Counties attended Camp Spero, a free bereavement camp hosted by The Elizabeth Hospice that is open to the community. Campers spent a fun-filled weekend in Julian, CA, where they honored and memorialized their loved one, learned coping skills and made friends with others who are facing similar challenges. Camp Spero is open to all youth in the community, ages 7 to 17, who are grieving the death of a significant person in their life.

San Diego County fails to pay JCFPD paramedics as agreed in earlier court judgment

Update: Sheriff's office declines to comment on eviction of the JCFPD

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

June 3, 2019 (Julian) -- CAL FIRE, under the authority of the San Diego County Fire Authority, retook the remaining Julian fire station Sunday afternoon. The station  has been held by volunteers Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD) with court approval after the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) dissolved the JCFPD, pending the outcome of litigation by those trying to save the county's last volunteer firefighting district.

The move by CAL FIRE and the Sheriff’s Department failure to halt the takeover was in defiance of an appeal filed to the San Diego Superior Appellate Court Division immediately after Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp on Friday ordered members of the JCFPD to vacate Fire Station No. 56 in her Friday ruling.  The appeal triggers an automatic stay, the County’s director of communications acknowledged Friday, prior to the forced takeover this weekend. Judge Trapp on Friday also affirmed that no eviction should occur until an appeal could be heard, according to a witness present in the courtroom. ECM is working to obtain videotape of the judge’s statement.

East County News Service

May 28, 2019 (Alpine) - Grab your popcorn – it’s time for (free!) summertime movies at the outdoor roller skating rink at Viejas Outlets shopping mall (5005 Willows Rd.) in Alpine.  Showtimes start at 7:30 p.m. The season opened May 24 with Top Gun. The lineup of popular movies coming up include:

• May 31  – Hotel Transylvania 3 (PG)
• June 7 – Moana (PG)
• June 14 – Bumblebee (PG13)
• June 21 – Antman and the Wasp (PG13)
• June 28 – Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse (PG)
• July 4 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG13)
• July 5 – How to Train Your Dragon 3 (PG)
  

East County News Service

May 26, 2019 (Alpine) - Viejas Casino is hosting a blood drive in partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 from 10:00 am ‑ 3:00 pm.  The drive will take place in the casino’s Sycamore Room (5000 Willows Rd., Alpine).

By Ken Stone

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

Photo:  Former Rep. Duncan Lee Hunter chats with former constituents at Ramona Mainstage before his son’s town hall in March 2017. Photo by Chris Stone

May 22, 2019 (Ramona) - Rep. Duncan D. Hunter returns to the scene of a raucous 2017 town hall when he takes part Saturday in another Ramona Mainstage event.

But his office doesn’t call it a town hall.

County Motor Parts hosts grand opening with car show May 31 - June 2

East County News Service

May 10, 2019 (Alpine) – One of San Diego’s longest operating small businesses, County Motor Parts Inc., announces the opening of its 12th location--8th in San Diego County--in Alpine. The 73-year-old business has been run by three generations of the San Diego-based Eckis family.

By Miriam Raftery

May 5, 2019 (Santa Ysabel) – You’re invited to bring Dad to a Father’s Day pit barbecue on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the historic 200-year-old Santa Ysabel Indian Mission (23013 State Route 79 in Santa Ysabel).  Contests will be held for best cowboy hats, boot and mustaches.  There will also be entertainment, vendors, a 50/50 raffle, barbecue ($10 a plate), beer, wine and sodas.

Tickets will be sold at the door, or in advance after mass.  Interested vendors can call (760) 765-0810 or (858) 335-3313. 

East County News Service

May 2, 2019 (Julian) – A Taste of Julian is a self-guided culinary tour of unique restaurants, wineries and breweries. This year’s Taste of Julian will be held on Saturday, May 18 from 1-5 p.m.  From delicious main dishes to candied apples, apple pies, chocolates, wine, beer and hard cider, you’ll find plenty to tempt your tastebuds.

Despite dissolution put in force by LAFCO and County authorities, volunteers and supporters can stay in station at least 30 days, Judge Trapp rules

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

April 26, 2019 (San Diego) -- The County of San Diego and Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) went into Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp’s courtroom Thursday seeking an order to evict supporters of the dissolved Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD).

Instead, the Judge pushed both sides to hammer out a compromise agreement that  allows former volunteer firefighters and their supporters to remain in station 57 for at least 30 days while the legal issues work their way through the court system. 

Calls will be responded to by the County Fire Authority/Cal Fire and the County will have a right to inspect the station daily, with specifications.

By Ken Stone

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Judge Randa Trapp will hear arguments Thursday and Friday in cases involving the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District. Photo by Ken Stone

April 25, 2019 (Julian) - Lawyers for San Diego County will ask a judge Thursday to evict volunteer firefighters and others who have locked themselves in the Julian fire station, saying they’re worried about equipment and property worth $3 million being stolen or damaged.