By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

Source:  County News Service

July 31, 2016 (San Diego) - County Parks and Recreation will close four parks in August, a precaution taken each year due to the month’s expected extreme heat.

El Capitan Preserve near Lakeside, Mt. Gower Preserve near Ramona, Hellhole Canyon Preserve in Valley Center and Wilderness Gardens in Pala are closed Aug. 1 through Aug. 31. In addition, Agua Caliente Regional Park near Julian is closed all summer; it will reopen Labor Day weekend.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff's Department

July 27, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Join the San Diego County Sheriff's Department for FREE Night Out Against Crime© events on Tuesday, August 2nd. Sheriff's Stations and Substations all over the county will be hosting block parties to take a stand against crime.

Activities vary by location and may include free food, drinks, giveaways and activities for kids. Night Out Against Crime© is a celebration of community relationships. Meet your neighbors, as well as deputies who patrol your area. All locations will have a Sheriff's Crime Prevention Specialist on site so you can get tips on how to stay safe. See below for a community near you or visit www.sdsheriff.net:

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing period to run for local offices is now open, closing August 12.   Concerned citizens can often make positive differences in their communities by become elected officials serving as members of school boards, community planning groups, fire boards, water boards, hospital districts, city councils, or as mayors.

East County News Service

July 13, 2016 (Ramona) - Watermelon Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy is back and better than ever with more shows, a new children's area (featuring a new sheep-feeding farm), games and more!

East County News Service

July 11, 2016 (Ramona) – Alexander Stone provided the Sheriff's Department with a cellphone video capturing an assault with a deadly weapon which occurred yesterday on Rangeland Road in Ramona.  In the video the suspect, who was later identified as Mark Wayne Gordon of Ramona, can be seen intentionally driving his vehicle twice at Stone, who was able to jump out of the way to avoid being struck.  Gordon eventually exited his vehicle and physically assaulted Stone and an acquaintance.  During the assault, Gordon knocked Stone's cellphone from his hand, causing damage to the phone.  No injuries were sustained by anyone involved and all parties left the scene.  

East County News Service

July 7, 2016  (Descanso)--The annual Descanso Days takes place on July 9^th, featuring a festival at the historic Descanso Town Hall (24536 Viejas Grade Road) and a parade rolling out at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is “A Blaze of Glory."

Be sure to arrive early, since Viejas Grade Road shuts down before the parade, and stay late to enjoy games, food, vendor booths and entertainment.

East County News Service

July 2, 2016 (Julian) - Anyone can enjoy the Julian StarFest by participating in the free public star party on Saturday, August 6, 2016.  Arrive between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and you can enter the StarFest grounds (1150 Julian Orchards Ln, Julian).  Take a star tour of the heavens using the many telescopes set up in the viewing area.  Experts will be on hand to answer questions.  Parking is available nearby and we suggest you bring a red light flashlight to guide yourself to the observing area, or red film will be provided to cover a white light flashlight.  Please, no white lights in the observing area.

June 28, 2016 – 4:30 p.m. – A truck carrying a crane has reportedly struck the overpass bridge on State Route 67 southbound at Prospect Avenue in El Cajon and is stuck, according to the CHP incident page.  Lanes are blocked and a fuel spill has reportedly occurred.

A bridge supervisor is en route.  We recommend avoiding this area.  

East County News Service

Updated June 24 with information from the CHP

June 22, 2016 (Alpine) — A 64-year-old woman walking her dog was struck and killed by a car this morning at South Grade and Calle de Compadres near Wright’s Field in Alpine.  The accident caused temporary closure of South Grade Road.

According to the California Highway Patrol spokesman Kevin Pearlstein, the driver, a 57 year old man from alpine was driving 2004 Honda Civic southbound at 35 to 40 miles per hour when he struck the pedestrian, who apepared to be crossing the road toward her parked vehicle

"Due to the change in elevation of the roadway,the drive of theHonda was unable to avoid the pedestrian who had appeared directly in his path of travel," Pearlstein said,adding that the driver did apply his brakes but could not avoid the collision. The driver was not injured and was not cited.

East County News Service

June 21, 2016 (Alpine) - The Alpine Mountain Empire Heroes, Leadership & Public Service recognition dinner will be celebrated on August 27, 2016 at Viejas Casino Resort. This premiere event hosted by the Chamber recognizes Alpine heroes, organizations and individuals that have demonstrated community heroism, leadership and public service for the benefit of Mountain Empire communities.

By Miriam Raftery

June 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – All schools in the Mountain Empire school district remain closed today due to the Border Fire.   The Mountain Empire High School graduation is tentatively set to be held Thursday at 6:30 p.m. contingent on air quality and fire conditions. 

East County News Service

June 20, 2016 (Ramona) --Supervisor Dianne Jacob  posted blisteringr remarks on her Facebook Page today, with the Border Fire raging out of control and forcing evacuations in multiple rural commnities: 

"The following is my statement in response to reports yesterday that United States Forest Service (USFS) air tankers were not utilizing the Ramona Air Attack Base, and instead were flying to San Bernardino in between drops on the Border Fire. The same Next Generation Air Tankers used by CAL FIRE were safely refilling at the Ramona Air Attack Base yesterday.

“The USFS and federal leaders are failing our region and unnecessarily putting lives and property at risk. The Board of Supervisors last summer called on the USFS and the federal government to land their Next Generation Air Tankers at the Ramona Air Attack Base in order to increase the frequency of drops on a wildfire. CAL FIRE has demonstrated that these types of planes can safely use the Ramona airport. Now we need the USFS to demonstrate that public safety is a higher priority than bureaucratic stubbornness. These planes can carry up to 3,000 gallons of retardant and increasing the frequency of drops gives us a better chance of knocking down dangerous wildfires,” Jacob concluded.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

June 15, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- San Diego County Fire can now dispatch up to four new quick-attack vehicles to assist CAL FIRE operations when a brush fire breaks out in a hard-to-reach part of the backcountry.

East County News Service

June 11, 2016 (Julian) -- The stars and stripes will move down Main Street in Julian during this year’s Fourth of July parade honoring Independence Day. For over 20 years, Julian residents, their friends and parade lovers turn out to watch what some call the “the best little town parade in America.” Pre-parade events start at 10:00 a.m. The parade begins at 12 noon and ends around 2:00 p.m.

East County News Service

June 7, 2016 (Alpine) -- San Diego County Fire Chiefs, in cooperation with the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and the community of Alpine, are conducting their annual Fire Preparedness Exercise June 6 – 8, 2016 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m...  Emergency Service Agencies from throughout San Diego County will come together to prepare for the upcoming fire season.