East County News Service

December 20, 2016 (Julian) – The public is invited to start the New Year off on the right foot in a California State Park with a “First Day Hike” guided by Park Interpretive Specialist, Michele Hernandez at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.  The hike will begin on January 1, 2017 at 10 a.m.

By Miriam Raftery

Next up: Alpine General Plan amendments to be considered in 2017

December 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)—By a  4 to 1 vote with Supervisor Dave Roberts opposed,  San Diego Supervisors on Wednesday voted to approve a Forest Conservation Initiative Lands General Plan Amendment, along with community plan amendments, rezoning and  certification of a supplemental environmental review. The action paves the way for development of parcels  in the Alpine and Descanso areas that were formerly protected under the Forest Conservation Initiative passed by voters, but that has since expired due to a sunset provision in 2010.

Travis Lyon, chair of the Alpine Community Planning Group, reports that the Supervisors “took all the recommendations ACPG made at the last meeting.” 

Jack Shu, president of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation,  said after the hearing, “The bottom line is that the County has moved to do away with what the voters – two thirds of them—wanted in 1993 to protect our local Forest."

East County News Service

December 13, 2016 (San Diego) – Tomorrow., San Diego Supervisors will consider a general plan amendment that would allow additional development on some Forest Conservation Initiative Lands. These properties were protected for 20 years by a vote of the people countywide, but the measure had a sunset provision. The issue pits environmentalists’ conservation goals against rights of private property owners.

The hearing starts at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Center, Room 310, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego.  Below are arguments on both sides of this contentious issue impacting inholding sites within or adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest.

East County News Service

December 9, 2016 (Alpine) -- Detectives with the Sheriff's Homicide Detail and the Fugitive Task Force have arrested Alpine resident Wiliey Foster in connection with the death of 18 month-old Leah Brown-Meza. Foster is the live-in boyfriend of the baby’s mother.

By Miriam Raftery

December 6, 2016 (Julian) – The Julian Family Fiddle Camp is an acoustic music immersion program for the young and young-at-heart including instruction in guitar, mandolin, ukulele and banjo as well as fiddle playing.  Registration is now open for the April 11-15,2017 fiddle camp in historic Julian.

East County News Service

December 5, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - The Forest Conservation Initiative Lands General Plan Amendment (GPA) is scheduled for the December 14, 2016 San Diego County Board of Supervisors hearing agenda.  The purpose of this hearing is for the Board of Supervisors to receive and consider the County of San Diego Department of Planning & Development Services report on the GPA and certification of the Final Supplemental Impact Report prepared for the GPA. 

Story and photo by Liz Alper

December 1, 2016 (Spring Valley) - Ramona High School girls’ soccer traveled to fellow East County rival Monte Vista in both teams’ second game of the season.

By Miriam Raftery

November 29,  2016 (Ramona)—The motorcyclist killed Friday morning on Highway 79 in Santa Ysabel in a collision with a Prius has been identified as Victor Earhart,  70, a prominent skateboarder who inspired fans of all ages. 

Sector 9, a skateboard company where Earhart worked and performed as a team writer,  posted a  tribute titled “Legends Never Die” that praised him as “a great ambassador for skateboarding and a legend to many. He was always down to ride skateboards rain or shine, dirt or asphalt. He was very loved by all and will be sorely missed in the skateboard community.”

East County News Service

November 27, 2016 (Alpine) — A twinkling holiday parade, sledding down “Snow Hill,” visits with Santa, craft booths and more are all part of the 21^st annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights and Snow Festival on Friday, December 2^nd.

East County News Service

November 24, 2016 (San Diego) -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is expanding its initiative to assist private forestland owners in addressing tree mortality and other drought-related damage to improve forest health.  NRCS will provide financial assistance for landowners with dead and dying conifer forest trees in certain counties, including San Diego County.

East County News Service

November 18, 2016 (San Diego)-- County Supervisors adopted new rules Wednesday aimed at making sure people are safe when they visit the region’s hopping number of breweries and wineries and decide to have a burger with their brew or more than just a little cheese with their wine.

Supervisors voted 4-0 to adopt an ordinance and two new permits that will apply food-safety rules found in restaurants to caterers hired to serve food at breweries, wineries and other businesses.

East County News Service

November 16, 2016 (Escondido) — The California Public Utilities Commission will hold public hearings January 9, 2017 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s application for authorization to recover costs related to the 2007 Southern California wildfires recorded in the Wildfire Expense Memorandum Account (WEBA). 

East County News Service

November 16, 2016 (Alpine) -- Sheriff's Sexual Assault Detectives are investigating a sexual assault at the Ma-Tar-Awa Viejas RV Park, 25 Browns Road, Alpine, CA 91901, on the Viejas Indian Reservation.

According to Lt. Dan Brislin, a 30-year-old woman walked into the campground restroom at 5:30 a.m. yesterday and saw a man facing away from her in a stall. She entered a stall and that same man approached her from behind, said "Hey" and proceeded to sexually assault her. As the assault progressed, she asked him to not hurt her. Immediately after she said this, he stopped and fled the scene.

Source: Caltrans

November 15, 2016 (Ramona) - Caltrans crews will set up lane closures on northbound State Route 67 at the intersection with Dye Road/Highland Valley Road near Ramona on Monday and Tuesday from  7 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. for paving operations.

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2016 (Ramona) – If you’re looking for an unusual way to spend Thanksgiving weekend,  stop by Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona.  The 6^th annual event on November 25, 26 and 27 will include camel rides,  feeding pomegranates to camels, family shows,  and a race featuring “pardoned” turkeys.