By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Photo, from left to right:  Steve Babbit, Rebecca McRae, Jerry Lecko, Chardra Fontenot

October 16, 2018 (La Mesa) - Political civility ruled when four candidates for three open positions on the La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board appeared at a community forum put on by the La Mesa First United Methodist Church in downtown La Mesa. Appearing at the event were Steve Babbit, Jerry Lecko, Chardrá Fontenot, and Rebecca McRae. Declared candidates Megan Epperson, Brianna Garza, and Matthew Austin Sablove, although invited, were not present at the forum.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

October 13, 2018 (El Cajon) - It happens every year; the Cougars make their way up the hill from Campo Road to Hillsdale Road for a battle to claim the street that unites them both.  Week eight of ECM Friday Night Lights brings you the midseason East County classic, the Battle for the Jamacha Trophy.  It’s been a year since Thomas Fishburne led the Cougars to victory on Norse turf to keep Steele Canyon the owners of Jamacha Road.  He’s at Southwestern College now.  Can the Cougars still defend their stretch of pavement without him?

A previously approved water rate increase will not be implemented

Source: Padre Dam Municipal Water District 

October 10, 2018 (Santee) – Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved to freeze water rates for Fiscal Year 2019. The decision to freeze rates was based on an increase in water sales the previous year compared to the District’s Budget and the strong financial position of the water operation funds. 

East County News Service

October 10, 2018 (Spring Valley) – A worker crushed by  iron beams last week at a Spring Valley metal fabrication yard has been identified as Gregorio Segundo, 29, the County Medical Examiner’s office reports.

CANCELLED:

Due to most invitees having conflicts on this date, this event is cancelled. The good news is we're changing the date and location- but we will still be having our annual Halloween party. The new event will be Sunday evening, October 28 at a private residence on Mt. Helix with great music and prizes--just $10 and bring a dish to share! Watch for details soon.

October 5, 2018 (Jamul) -- You're invited to our "Witches Wine  & Dine" haunting Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 4-8 p.m. at Granite Lion Cellars Winery in Jamul!

The fun begins in the wine tasting room at 4 p.m., followed by a catered dinner in the haunted oak grove with music by DJ Doug on Sax, catering by Freshly Prepped, a costume contest and a treasure-trove of prizes!  

RSVP and pre-pay before Oct. 20 ($45 per person)

Checks: Mail to East County Magazine, 4438 Hideaway Place, La Mesa, CA 91941

Credit cards or Paypal:  Tickets at www.EastCountyMedia.org/events

Special thanks to California Coast Credit Union for sponsoring entertainment for this very special event.

Scroll down for the devilishly delicious details!

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Simple Construct

Hear our interview on KNSJ radio with homeowners Brian and Susan Fallgren, Simple Construct builder Rebeca Tasker, and SDG&E communications manager Helen Gao.

 View video on the home’s construction and view tour of the finished residence. 

July 14, 2018 (Campo) – Inspired by historical California adobe homes,  Brian and Susan Fallgren in Campo teamed up with Simple Construct to create a straw bale and adobe home that is beautiful, comfortable even in extreme heat, fire resistant and energy efficient—producing more power than it uses. 

The home has also won numerous honors.  It’s the first residence in Southern California to receive net zero certification through the Living Building Challenge, one of only 27 homes in the world to win this recognition.  A participant in the California Advanced Homes Program, it was also a winner in  the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) 13^th annual  Energy Showcase Awards and will be featured on the San Diego Green Building Council’s Green Homes Tour on Sunday, October 21.

“It’s an incredibly functional, comfortable home to live in, not only from an environmental standpoint, but from an every day livability standpoint,” Susan Fallgren says.

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Alpine) – If you’re looking for a safer trick-or-treating option for children, Viejas Outlets in Alpine invites you to visit from 5-8 p.m. on Halloween night, Wednesday October 31^st, for a treat.  The movie “Hocus Pocus” will also be playing on the big screen at the ice rink at 6 p.m. (The ice rink will be opening for the season on Nov. 2.)

Viejas Outlets is located at 5005 Willows Road ∙ Alpine, CA 91901 ∙ (800) 847-6537 https://viejas.com/san-diegos-premier-outlets-mall/

San Diego’s big cat and exotic animal sanctuary celebrates global animal welfare event with educational visits and blessing of animals

East County News Service 

October 3, 2018 (Alpine) -- San Diego’s world renowned, non-profit big cat and exotic animal sanctuary, Lions Tigers & Bears is celebrating World Animal Day with a unique Blessing of the Animals and special promotion for visitors as part of an international effort to raise awareness and education about animal welfare. 

Father Jason Samuels of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Alpine will deliver a blessing to all the rescued animals at the sanctuary including lions, tigers, bears, bobcats, leopards, a mountain lion and more on Thursday, October 4 at 10:30 a.m.

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

Image credit: cdc.gov

September 25, 2018 (Alpine) - A person who played bingo at Viejas Bingo located in the Viejas Outlets and rode the Sun Charter San Diego North Line to the facility has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and may have exposed others, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Ek, McKenna and Vacio billboard; Kiel image via Facebook

September 23, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The November election could have high stakes in the San Miguel Fire Protection District.  A slate of three incumbents who voted to return the district to local control and axe a contract with Cal-Fire are running for reelection: Theresa McKenna, Jim Ek and Mike Vacio. All are backed by the district’s firefighters. Also in the race is William A. Kiel, son of board member William Kiel, who voted against ending the contract with Cal Fire.

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2018 (Jamul) – Cal Fire responded to a 911 all reporting a hiker in distress on a trail near Horse Thief Canyon off Lyons Valley Road near Jamul today. When they arrived, he was not breathing. Cal Fire personnel and Mercy medics attempted lifesaving measures, but could not revive him.

By Miriam Raftery

September 21, 2018 (La Mesa) – Controversy has enveloped the La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board, where three incumbents are stepping down – leaving three open seats. One slate of three challengers is critical of the board’s action, while another trio of candidates is backed by the same forces as the outgoing board members. A seventh candidate is running independently.

A candidate forum will be held on Monday evening, October 1^st at the La Mesa First United Methodist Church (4690 Palm Ave.) in La mesa with a meet and greet at 6:15 p.m. and forum at 6:30 p.m.

“Myself, I’m one of the generations.  My mother is one of the generations, wandering out there in alcoholism, and death, and murder and domestic violence, and thinking there’s no way out…like I tell my grandchildren, ‘You don’t have to walk the road of alchcolism and addiction. I walked that road. I took all those beatings for you guys. You don’t have to walk that road.’” -Verna Bartlett, Ph.D. Native American Elder and sexual abuse survivor.

September 17, 2018 (Alpine) -- For American Indian people interested in healing addictions, social and family relations, as well as other physical and emotional illness that infect native communities, and are resistant to Western healing programs, a conference entitled, “Calling upon the Warrior Spirit, inspired by our Creator, to Heal Historical Trauma among Native America through Indigenous Wisdom,” will offer presentations and ceremonies from the indigenous perspective.

Battle to save the county's last volunteer fire district now hinges on a protest process that could give voters the final say

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Miriam Raftery, Editor, also contributed to this report.
 

Photo:  Battalion Chief Mike Van Bibber, Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District

September 11, 2018 (Julian) -- A group of Julian area residents fighting fire axes-and-hoses against a county takeover of fire and medical first responder services won a firm victory last Thursday in Superior Court. Judge Timothy Taylor ruled to allow a ballot measure to fund future operations for the Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD).

Backers of the initiative hoped the ruling would curtail the County of San Diego’s efforts to terminate the JCFPD, the region’s last all-volunteer fire department, and shift fire and ambulance services to the County Fire Authority (CFA) in conjunction with Cal Fire.

But despite Judge Taylor’s ruling, yesterday the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted 7-0 to dissolve the district. Residents could still block the takeover through a protest process that’s now been triggered.  Determined opponents of the takeover are gearing up for the fight, arguing that eliminating volunteer firefighters who live in the community will make the area less safe, not safer has had been promised by the CFA.

By Jan Hedlun

Photo by Miriam Raftery: 2007 Harris Fire

September 11, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - Living in a rural backcountry is a blessing and a curse. The blessing is seeing an abundance of stars at night, wildlife, and the relative peace and quiet the city can't offer. The curse: some of that wildlife bites, and wildfires are a constant threat for most of the year.