East County News Service

Photo: Sunrise HIghway, courtesy of the California Highway Patrol

Update 11:40 a.m. -- Update: SR-79 is now open from I-8 to SR-78 into Julian. Chains are not required.Sunrise Highway is open from Olde Highway to MPM 27.5 chains are still mandatory, per the CHP.

February 18, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A new storm slated to pummel our region Wednesday night through Friday morning will bring more snow and blustery winds, possibly dropping the snow level as low as 2,000 feet.  That would include areas such as Ramona, Campo, Descanso and possibly even Alpine and high desert areas. 

State Route 79 is still closed from Harvey Moore Trailhead (mile post marker 5) to SR-78. Sunrise Highway is closed from MPM 27.5 to SR-79. Sunrise Highway from MPM 27.5 south to Olde Hwy 80 is only open to vehicles with chains and chain requirements will strictly be enforced, CHP warns.

East County News Service

February 14, 2019 (Alpine) – You’re invited to discover “Women Warriors” this Sunday, Feb. 17 in Alpine.  Presented by the Alpine Historical Society, author and performer Annette Hubbell will bring to life the amazing stories of ordinary women who changed themselves and helped others. 

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2019 (Pine Valley) – Robert Verlin Bruno Jr., 48, of Jacumba Hot Springs ,stopped to help when he saw a Ford F-150 pickup truck with a baby as a passenger. The truck had struck a guardrail on Pine Valley Bridge on Interstate 8 before dawn yesterday around 5 a.m.

But then a truck swerved to avoid the crash and collided with a Kia. The two vehicles came careening toward him on the icy freeway. Bruno jumped over a guardrail to avoid being struck, not realizing in the darkness that the spot dropped off into a 300 to 400 foot deep ravine.

Rents for low-income seniors to range from about $476 to $978 a month; federal vouchers to cover portion

By Paul Downey, President & CEO, Serving Seniors

February 5, 2019 (Ramona) -- Serving Seniors may be most well-known for its meal program, which provides 2,500 meals a day to seniors across the county. In 2017, the organization served 600,000 meals, which can greatly assist seniors that may be on fixed incomes, yet their housing expenses continue to increase.

In addition to nutritious meals, Serving Seniors helps seniors in poverty live fulfilling and healthy lives by also providing health services and affordable housing. Early this summer, Serving Seniors will open its 62-unit Schmale Family Senior Residence in Ramona. Developed in partnership with Chelsea Investment Corporation, it will be the organization’s Seniors’ first affordable housing complex in east San Diego County.   

Local nonprofit and solar industry experts come together in Ramona to launch a new year of clean energy education

East County News Service

February 4, 2019 (San Diego) -- The third annual San Diego Solar Experience Kickoff returns to sunny San Diego on Saturday, February 9. The event, beginning with a presentation at the Ramona Public Library at 11 a.m., will unite residents with local cleantech businesses and nonprofits to piece together the puzzle of new clean energy policy and share insights into what’s changing in renewable energy in 2019. As policy changes and our communities continue to implement plans that achieve our climate goals, it's both necessary and difficult to remain informed. The San Diego Solar Experience Kickoff event aims to conquer this challenge.

Participants of the San Diego Solar Experience Kickoff event can attend one of the three county-wide seminars in Ramona, Carlsbad and Chula Vista, where they will learn from nationally certified energy practitioners and nonprofit experts on the facts and benefits of gaining energy independence.

East County News Service

January 31, 2019 (Julian) – Jerome’s Furniture Warehouse surprised Julian's & Cuyamaca's firefighters with five brand new reclining chairs for the lounge at Station #56. Now after fighting fighters and saving lives, firefighters can put up their boots and relax in comfort.

January 25, 2019 (Julian) -- Our editor, Miriam Raftery, snapped this soothing sunset at the twilight's last glow over the mountains in Julian last Sunday.

The photo was taken out the window of the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Station on State Route 79.

By Miriam Raftery

January 19, 2019 (Julian) – The community is invited to a spaghetti dinner hosted by the Julian Cuyamaca Firefighters Association on Sunday, January 20 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Bring a non-perishable food item to share for the Julian Blessing Box, a free food pantry that helps people in need.

East County News Service

January 11, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Heavy rain and snow is forecast to fall starting tonight, with several new storm systems from the Pacific northwest slated to reach our region next week.

According to the National Weather Service, tonight and tomorrow morning should bring a half inch of rain west of the mountains and up to an inch or rain in the mountains, with several inches of snow above 6,000 feet including Palomar Mountain. Be prepared for a brief period of very heavy rain and strong surf.

East County News Service

January 4, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- A new storm is heading to our region.  The National Weather Service predicts rain and snow down to 5,000 feet elevation late Saturday and Sunday.

East County News Service

January 3, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A New Year’s eve storm dropped temperatures to below freezing across most of East County, bringing snow and ice even to some low elevation areas.  Area residents took to social media with their icy images.

Anza Borrego Desert Research Center posted an image (left) of snow blanketing the ground around the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s landmark sign  The group reported snow flurries down to 2300 feet, with snow sticking above the 2500 foot elevation in the normally arid terrain.

CAL FIRE/County Fire Authority moves out of JCFPD fire station, returns to former office in Julian.

New JCFPD board puts Chief Van Bibber back in charge; radio service also restored for volunteer firefighters.

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

VIDEO of December 13 JCFPD Board Meeting

December 28, 2018 (Julian)--The knockdown, drag-out fight between CAL FIRE and the San Diego County Fire Authority versus the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD) went another round last week when County Supervisors voted to hold a special election in Julian this spring.

Julian citizens gathered enough signatures to put the fate of the JCFPD to a direct special election vote on Mar. 19, 2019. But Supervisors’ decision to confirm the people’s right to vote on saving the county’s last volunteer fire district from a county takeover has done little to heal the smarting.

Cal OSHA was called out on Nov. 30 to Julian Fire Station 56 to enforce an order by County Fire Authority Chief Jeremi Roesler requiring that all JCFPD firefighter Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) be inspected and inventoried. He unilaterally directed that all firefighter “turnouts” or PPE gloves, jackets, helmets – be inspected and inventoried for official reasons unknown to him. Each set of PPE or “turnouts” is worth about $4,000 dollars.

Instead of notifying the JCFPD or volunteer firefighters beforehand of the inspection, the search was conducted unannounced and numerous pieces of gear were removed from service. The Sheriff was notified when firefighters’ personal property was allegedly taken.

Update: The driver of the Toyota has also died. He has been identified as Gonzalo Rodriguez.

The child who perished has been identified as Christian Diaz, per the San DIego County Medical Examiner.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

December 24, 2018 (Ramona) – A small boy was killed in a two vehicle collision in Ramona late this morning on State Route 78 east of Haverford Rd. near Ramona. Four other people were injured in the Christmas Eve crash, including a second child who has been life-flighted to a hospital.

According to Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol, a 44-year-old Ramona man was driving a 2002 Toyota Camry westbound, with three passengers, when his vehicle veered off the road onto the shoulder. According to witnesses, he over-corrected and crossed the center lines into the path of an eastbound 2014 Dodge Ram SUV driven by a 77-year-old man from Falls City, Oregon. The vehicles collided head-on.

Source: Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce

Photo by Jenne Bergstrom, Alpine Library

December 19, 2018 (Alpine) -- A raging thunderstorm overhead added emphasis to the importance of having a backup electrical source during a free public forum at the Alpine Library.

Four experts provided information to homeowners and others during the Dec. 6 session, hosted by the library at 1752 Alpine Blvd.