Rural communities

EAST COUNTY ARSONIST ARRESTED, CHARGED WITH SETTING NINE FIRES IN NOVEMBER

By Miriam Raftery

December 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire investigators have arrested a serial arsonist accused of setting nine fires across East County between Nov. 10 and Nov. 30.

Allen Dinoyo, a transient resident of San Diego, will be charged with multiple felonies. He is accused of starting vegetation fires on Nov.10 in Jamul, followed by six fires on Nov. 20 in Rancho San Diego, Jamul, and Dehesa, as well as two more fires on Nov.30 in San Diego and La Mesa.


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SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK HOSTS BLOOD DRIVES ACROSS EAST COUNTY IN DECEMBER

East County News Service

 

November 26, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – This holiday season, you can give the gift of life.  The San Diego Blood Bank is hosting a series of blood drives across East County between December 18 and December 24 in locations including Spring Valley, La Mesa, El Cajon, Lakeside, Alpine and Ramona.  Below are details.


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SHERIFF RELEASES VIDEO OF SUSPECT SHOT AND KILLED IN SPRING VALLEY

View video (viewer discretion advised)

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner ABC 10 News

November 27, 2024 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has released video from November 15,  when seven deputies opened fire and killed Victor Rendon, Jr., 34.  Rendon had fired shots inside his ex-girlfriend’s home on Leland Street in Spring Valley and later pointed a gun at deputies, according to the Sheriff’s department. The video appears to show Rendon waving a gun shortly before deputies opened fire.

Deputies responded to a call at 3:18 p.m. from Rendon’s former girlfriend reporting that he was trespassing and behaving erratically, while children were present. He was reportedly suffering from mental issues and under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Deputies removed the children from the home to protect their safety. The suspect then fired his gun several times in the backyard shortly before 5 p.m. with deputies just 15 feet away, though it’s unclear in what direction he was firing, according to a press release from the Sheriff.  An initial report that the suspect fired through the front door, however, was inaccurate. The investigation found that he did, however, throw items including luggage at the front door. When he later came out and raised the gun toward deputies, the deputies fired their weapons, striking the suspect multiple times.


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SCHOOL THREAT IN ALPINE

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

November 22, 2024 (Alpine) - On Thursday, November 21, around 5:30 p.m., the San Diego County Sheriff's Office was notified by the administration of Shadow Hills Elementary School in Alpine about threats made by two students against a group of students and teachers.


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CAL FIRE IS CONDUCTING PRESCRIBED BURNS

Source: CalFire

November 21, 2024 (San Diego's East County) - - The CAL FIRE San Diego Unit is preparing to conduct prescribed burns across San Diego and Imperial Counties as part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk, enhance ecosystem health, and protect community safety. These projects are planned during carefully selected weather conditions that meet specific safety and ecological parameters.  A controlled burn is being conducted today in the Campo area.

Each prescribed burn project undergoes a comprehensive review to ensure it meets the criteria for environmental benefit, appropriate weather, smoke management, and fire safety. Once a project is approved, trained CAL FIRE personnel will conduct the burns under strict guidelines.


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EVACUATIONS IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO NEAR SPRING VALLEY DUE TO BRUSH FIRE

By Miriam Raftery

November 20, 2024 (Rancho San Diego and Spring Valley) – The #MillarFire has burned 20 acres near State  Route 94/Campo Road and Millar Ranch Road in Spring Valley, near the Steele Canyon bridge.  Evacuation orders have been issued for nearby areas including Rancho San Diego, plus evacuation warnings for surrounding areas.  View evacuation map from Alert San Diego: https://emergencymap.sandiegocounty.gov/index.html

 A temporary evacuation point is at Edwards Cinema at 2951 Jamacha Rd.


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DEPUTIES KILL GUNMAN IN SPRING VALLEY

By Miriam Raftery

File photo: San Diego Sheriff’s Department

November 17, 2024 (Spring Valley) – Seven sheriff’s deputies opened fire on an armed man who fired shots in the backyard of a home on Leland Street in Spring Valley on Friday evening, ECM news partner 10 News reports.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, law enforcement indicated that a woman called report that her boyfriend, armed with a gun, had entered the home and was acting in an erratic manner with four children present. She told authorities that he had mental health issues and was under the influence.


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NEED RELIEF FROM FIRE INSURANCE COSTS? SUPERVISORS APPROVE HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS APPLYING FOR WILDFIRE PREPARED HOME PROGRAM

By Miriam Raftery

November 16, 2024 (San Diego) – By a unanimous vote, San Diego County Supervisors on Oct. 22 authorized the San Diego County Fire Authority to provide a dedicated staffer to assist homeowners with applications to the  Wildfire Prepared Home program.

The program, provided through the Insurance Institute for Business & Home and Safety (IBHS), offers a discount on insurance premiums to homeowners who apply and meet fire safety requirements. To apply, homeowners must pay an application fee of $125 and pass an inspection. Now, County Fire officials can also visit homes to help homeowners assure that they have met the wildfire mitigation requirements.


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SHERIFF’S VOLUNTEER SEARCH TEAM FINDS WOMAN HIKER LOST FOR TWO DAYS NEAR LAKE MORENA

Source: San Diego Sheriff’s Department

October 27, 2024 (Campo) – The San Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers have found and rescued a woman who was lost in San Diego's backcountry for almost two days.


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STUDENT ARRESTED AFTER BRINGING BB REPLICA FIREARM TO SCHOOL IN SPRING VALLEY

East County News Service

October 22, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- A juvenile has been arrested on suspicion of threatening another student and bringing a replica firearm (BB gun) to an East County magnet school yesterday.


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MOTORCYCLIST DIES AFTER COLLISION WITH TRUCK IN RAMONA

October 22, 2024 (Ramona) — A Ramona man, 36, died at the scene of a collision on State Route 78 near the Old Julian highway on October 18 shortly before 5 p.m.

 

The victim was riding a 2020 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound when he crossed over the double yellow lines and crashed into a Ford F-250 pickup truck driven by a Ramona woman, 52, according to Officer Jasmine Lopez with the California Highway Patrol.


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JULIAN PERFORMING ARTS PRESENTS THE FANTASTICKS MUSICAL OCT. 11-20

By East County News Service
 
October 12, 2024 (Julian) – The Fantasticks is the longest running production in American theater, since its debut in May 1960 at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York.  The musical features a timeless fable of love that is both nostalgic and universal, transcending cultural barriers.

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EVACUATIONS IN POSTA 3 FIRE AT CAMPO

Update Oct. 8, 2024 9:15 p.m. -- All evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted.

Update 10 p.m.: The following roads are closed:  Old Highway 80 from Kitchen Creek Road to Crestwood Road, and  tate Route 94 from La Posta Road to Old Highway 80. Families can drop off large animals at the San Diego County Animal Shelter located at 5821 Sweetwater Road in Bonita. For more information, call County Animal Services at 619-236-2341.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Casey Shoemaker

October 7, 2024 (Campo) -- Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect in the Campo area due to the #Posta3Fire, which has burned 350 acres. The fire began this afternoon in the 3100 block of La Posta Rd.at Old Highway 80 in Campo. View the evacuation map at Genasys Protect:

https://protect.genasys.com/hazards/1899163d-428a-4120-98f3-f147f8098a86?z=14&latlon=32.724867%2C-116.426334

This fire has a rapid rate of spread.  A temporary evacuation center is at Golden Acorn Casino.


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COLIN PARENT AND LASHEA SHARP-COLLINS SHARE VIEWS ON KEY ISSUES AT IN-DEPTH 79TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT FORUM

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2024 (Spring Valley) – Audience members offered up in-depth questions for candidates in the 79th Assembly District forum moderated by the League of Women Voters Monday night at the New Seasons Church in Spring Valley.

Educator LaShea Sharp-Collins,PhD and La Mesa Councilmember Colin Parent, both Democrats, agreed on some issues, such as protecting reproductive choice, but diverged on others, such as criminal justice reforms. Each touted their expertise in certain areas (Sharp-Collins on educations and equity issues, Parent on housing and transportation), their experiences preparing them for higher office, and their priorities if elected.


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79TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT FORUM SEPT. 30 IN SPRING VALLEY

East  County News Service



September 23, 2024 (Spring Valley, CA) – Ther Spring Valley Community Alliance (SVCA) and New Seasons Church are sponsoring a forum for candidates running in November for the 79th State Assembly District. The forum will take place on Monday, September 30 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the New Seasons Church,2300 Brancroft Drive in Spring Valley.

Both candidates, LaShae Sharp-Collins, PhD, and Colin Parent have confirmed their attendance.  Sharp-Collins is the County Office of Education’s community engagement specialist and an adjunct professor at San Diego State University. Parent is a La Mesa City Councilman, attorney, and general counsel for the nonprofit Circulate San Diego.

They will give opening statements and take questions from the audience. Take this opportunity to hear the candidates and learn where they stand on issues important to you.

The forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters of San Diego and conducted according to their guidelines.


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HALLOWEEN-THEMED MOVIES AND MORE AT JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS HOTEL

 
September 24, 2024 (Jacumba) – You’re invited to dive into Halloween themed nostalgia all next month at the Jacumba Hot Spring’s Hotel’s ritual mineral springs pool. Thursdays in October are magical evenings of classic, scary movies under the stars.

For a full calendar of events, visit https://jacumba.com/pages/calendar


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INVITATION TO CASA DE ORO PUBLIC AMENITIES WORKSHOP #1

By Jonathan Goetz
 
Public image created through the County of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department
 
September 18, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- You are cordially invited to participate in the first Casa de Oro Public Amenities Workshop hosted by the County of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department. This workshop will be an excellent opportunity for community members to engage in discussions about public amenities in y/our area.
 
Date: Monday, September 30, 2024
Time: 6-7 p.m.
Location: Spring Valley Academy

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BABS FRY: A SHERO IN THE SAN DIEGO DOG COMMUNITY

Story and photos: Mimi Pollack
 
Photo: Babs with Sheldon
 
September 13, 2024 (Jamul) -- In the United States, most dogs are cherished family members, so it can be very upsetting if they get lost, and don’t come home. This is where local dog hero, Babs Fry, comes in. Fry is known in San Diego as the “pet detective” who has successfully reunited thousands of lost dogs and their owners. For the last ten years, Fry has dedicated her life to this cause. In addition, Fry has expanded from not only helping people reunite with their lost pets, but she also now rescues and rehabilitates strays wandering the canyons and dogs that have been relinquished by their owners.  
 
Three years ago, Fry started her own non-profit, A Way Home for Dogs. Stray dogs that she has rescued are housed at her large ranch in Jamul. A successful realtor, she left that job to focus full time on rescuing dogs. It can be a 24-hour-a-day job for the Jamulian.

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HEAT BREAKS ALL-TIME RECORDS

By Miriam Raftery

 

September 9, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – Yesterday’s sweltering temperatures broke numerous all-time temperatures across our region, as the heat wave continues today with triple-digit  temperatures. New high temperature records for September 8 were set in several local communities, including some that have been keeping track of weather records for over a century:

 

LOCATION             NEW RECORD         OLD RECORD        PERIOD OF RECORD

ESCONDIDO             109                        104 in 1944              1893

RAMONA                   110                        103 in 2018              1974

ALPINE                      105                        104 in 1984              1951

EL CAJON                 108                        104 in 1984              1899

 

The highest minimum temperatures on record were also raised. San Diego tied  a record set back in 1875, with the low temperature a balmy 75 degrees. The follow communities also raised the record for highest minimum temperatures:


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CHURCH FIRE IN CAMPO: EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update 5:15 p.m.-- Forward spread has been halted at 65 acres and evacuation orders have been lifted. 

September 7, 2024 (Campo) -- Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for a brush fire burning at Church Road south of the Golden Acorn Casino near Old Hwy 80. The #ChurchFire has potential for 1,000 acres; it has burned 65 acres so far, per Cal Fire.

View an updated evacuation map here:  Genasys Protect  A temporary evacuation center is at the Golden Acorn Casino,1800 Golden Acorn Way in Campo.


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SPRING VALLEY SEEDS INITIATIVE INVITES COMMUNITY TO SHAPE A GREENER FUTURE

East County News Service
 
September 6, 2024 (Spring Valley) – The Spring Valley SEEDS (Sustainable Environments & Engaged Development Strategies) partners are inviting residents to help play a vital role in shaping the future of their community.

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MIGRANTS APPROACHED SCHOOL BUSES IN DULZURA, BUT DID NOT TRY TO BOARD, SHERIFF SAYS

By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2024 (Dulzura) – Migrants have twice approached school buses in the Jamul-Dulzura Union School District, sparking concerns among some parents.  However Superintendent Liz Bystedt, in a letter to families, says the Sheriff’s office has spoken with several witnesses and found no crime occurred.

Based on witness statements, the Superintendent’s letter states, “It appears that while several individuals approached the bus, there never appeared to be any intent to take over the bus or harm anyone. At no point in time did anyone other than the students enter the bus, or even get close to entering a bus.”


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TWO KILLED IN SPRING VALLEY VAN CRASH

East County News Service
 
August 26, 2024 (Spring Valley) – Two people from Perris, CA died at the scene of a crash that occurred August 24 around 6:13 p.m. in Spring Valley. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of a silver Nissan Quest van lost control of the vehicle on the offramp from State Route 94 to Bancroft Drive, veering off the roadway and hitting a light pole.  

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BONITAFEST MELODRAMA,“THIN SKINS AND HAYSEEDS” SEPT. 25-28 RECALLS GREAT SWEETWATER VALLEY FLOOD

 

Source: Bonitafest Melodrama

Photo:  Ella Aldridge plays the star-crossed Sadie in the 47th annual Bonitafest Melodrama "Thin Skins and Hayseeds."

August 26, 2024 (Bonita)--South County’s 47th annual Bonitafest Melodrama will look a lot like the first.  “Thin Skins and Hayseeds,” the popular musical-comedy produced as the first ever Melodrama in 1978, returns in September, freshened up and still rich with local history. It is the true story of the epic Sweetwater Valley Flood of 1916, sprinkled with poetic license, including a dash of “Romeo and Juliet.”

“Thin Skins and Hayseeds” runs September 25-28 at the Sweetwater Church Theater, 5305 Sweetwater Road. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available by calling (619) 850-7126.

“The flooding of the Sweetwater and Otay Valleys in January 1916 remain the most remarkable historical events of this region,” said Bonitafest Melodrama Artistic Director Max Branscomb, a journalism professor at Southwestern College. “Weeks of epic rain caused the Sweetwater Dam to wash out and the Otay Dam to fail. Hundreds of people were killed and everything in the path of the water was destroyed.”

The flooding occurred after the city of San Diego pledged $10,000 to a purported rainmaker, Charles Hatfield, if he could end a drought. Hatfield promised to fill the Lake Morena reservoir and set up operations in Campo. Days after his efforts, heavy rains overflowed the dam at Lake Morena, causing devastation downstream throughout the Sweetwater river valley.  Coincidence, or did Hatfield truly have rainmaking secrets?  


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HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION IN BOULEVARD

East County News Service

Update August 21, 2024:  The victim has been identified as Arthur Stephen Andreatta, 74.

August 19, 2024 (Boulevard) – The Sheriff’s homicide unit is investigating the death of a 75-year-old man found dead with head trauma inside his home in the 900 block of Tierra Del Sol Road in Boulevard.

Cal Fire  called for deputies from the Pine Valley Sheriff’s station to assist after finding the man unresponsive and later pronouncing him dead.


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SOME BORDER FIRES SPARKED BY MIGRANTS, IGNITING SAFETY CONCERNS

Photo via CalFire: Border 47 fire was started by migrants, possibly seeking rescue in a remote location near the border, according to Cal Fire.  The blaze charred 50 acres. 

August 13, 2024 (San Diego) – The vast majority of California’s wildfires are caused by humans, as Cal Matters recently reported. Vehicles and lawn equipment are the most common culprits in accidental fires, while a few have natural causes from lightning. 

But along the international border, campfires lit by migrants and fires set by smugglers have sparked numerous recent blazes -- also igniting public safety concerns.

After a surge in border fires in May, Amy Reichert, chairwoman of Restore San Diego, obtained public records from CalFire from May 1 through June 1. .Reichert claimed that  of the eight fires along the border May 1-June 1, seven were tied to illegal border crossers, with one of undetermined cause, since it started in Mexico. 

ECM fact-checked that claim and found it largely accurate, with migrant fires the most likely cause of six fires, shooting the most likely cause in one fire despite a campfire nearby, and the Mexico fire of undetermined cause.


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ANITA FIRE HALTED YARDS FROM HOMES IN SPRING VALLEY



Story and Photos by Josh Stotler



August 12, 2024 (Spring Valley)--A vegetation fire threatened homes on Millar Ranch Road north of Millar Anita Ln in Spring Valley today. Some residents were ordered to evacuated and others asked to shelter in place amid flying ash and debris, with firefighting vehicles lining the roadway. Emergency responders helped escort evacuating residents to safety while crews worked to bring the blaze under control.

The fire was first reported at 1:24 pm and crews responded to find a fire in dense vegetation moving at a moderate rate of spread. Homes on Millar Ranch Rd were immediately threatened and more resources were ordered. Air and ground resources worked under a unified fire command to attack this fire head on and keep the loss of life and property to zero.

Cal Fire crews lit a back fire to eliminate fuel between the head of the fire and houses.

One homeowner, Grace Russo, stayed behind to help save her home. “I sent my daughter and my 90 year old mother to safety and I stayed behind with my labs,” she said of the family's dogs.


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SHELTER-IN-PLACE/EVACUATION ORDER BETWEEN 94 AND SD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE/SAN MIGUEL MTN

UPDATE: Forward progress stopped at ~12 acres, per incident command, reports Liam Winstead
 
UPDATE: Zone SDC-2217 has been split into two zones. Zone SDC-2217B remains under an Evacuation Order. Zone SDC-2217-A is now under an Evacuation Warning. A new Evacuation Warning has been issued for zone SDC-2218. The Evacuation Warning has been lifted for zone SDC-2098. For the zones' parameters download Watch Duty app.
 
UPDATE: the #AnitaFire is now 15-20 acres and designated evacuation point Regal Edwards Cinema on Jamacha Road in Rancho San Diego (El Cajon)
 
August 12, 2024 (Spring Valley) -- The #AnitaFire started on the west side of Millar Ranch Road but jumped, now well established on both sides, just north of Millar Anita Lane, resulting in immediate structures threatened and a requested Evacuation Order for Zone SDC-2217.

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SUPERVISOR ANDERSON SEEKS SIGNATURES ON PETITION TO OPEN LOVELAND RESERVOIR FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET

 

East County News Service

August 11, 2024 (Alpine)—Supervisor Joel Anderson is asking the public to sign a petition which he will deliver to Sweetwater Water Authority asking the agency to restore sunrise-to-sunset hours at Loveland Reservoir. You can sign the petition here.  

Anderson  has emerged as a champion for local recreational enthusiasts seeking to protect access at several local lakes, including a prior petition that yielded positive results.


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OTAY WATER DISTRICT TO DISCUSS REPLACEMENT PROCESS FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS DIVISION ONE SEAT AUG. 7

East County News Service
 
August 6, 2024 (Spring Valley) – The Otay Water District announced that board member Tim Smith, representing division one, has resigned from the Otay board of directors after nearly a decade of service to the community on water issues.
 
Smith was first elected to the Otay board in December 2014 and has successfully been re-elected to the office since. His resignation, effective August 2, was formally submitted in a letter. The Otay board will discuss the process for selecting a replacement, either by appointment or election, to serve the remaining two years of Smith’s term during its meeting on August 7.

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