OHV Restoration Project Review Period

East County News Service

Restoration work has been proposed by the Back Country Land Trust for OHV impacted areas of their Clover Flat Wildlife Preserve.  The public is invited to review and comment on their application for funding of a habitat restoration grant. These grants are solicited by the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program,

Grant funding would be used to restore 15 acres of OHV impacted critical wildland habitat in Clover Flat Preserve to the east of Campo. Clover Flat is located to the west of La Posta Road and north of Highway 94.  Habitat restoration, fencing, and educational signage will protect endangered species, prevent soil erosion, redirect recreational Off-Highway Vehicle users to nearby legal recreational areas, and will employ local contractors.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: 10 News

Update February 27, 2019: The victim has been identified as Melanie Benitez, 27.  Paraschak, 42, has been charged with murder.

February 24, 2019 (Alpine) – A man armed with two guns was arrested yesterday for killing a woman in Alpine. Paul Paraschak has been charged with murder, Lt. Rich Williams told 10 News.

East County News Service

Watch video of the grand opening of Jamul Casino’s Poker Room:  https://youtu.be/mNBTA7mep8w

February 19, 2019 (Jamul) -- On Friday, Jamul Casino^® united hundreds of local poker players with celebrities and professional players vying for a $50,000 prize pool in the inaugural Golden Cap poker tournament.  Included in the celebrity line-up were Professional Poker Player Tiffany Michelle and legendary ESPN poker commentators Lon McEachern and Norman Chad, as well as numerous others.  The poker tournament was part of the Grand Opening celebration for the casino’s new Poker Room. 

East County News Service

February 19, 2019 (Boulevard) – A blue Mazda that failed to stop for U.S. Border Patrol agents this evening on McCain Valley Road near Olde HIghway 80 regarding possible immigration violations led officers on a chase that resulted in a rollover crash in Boulevard, injuring several peopole.

The driver failed to yield to a Border Patrol vehicle with flashing lights and siren at 5:15 p.m.  A pursuit was initiatied and the driver turned onto several roads before driving south on Shasta Way just south of State Route 94.  At a dip in the road, the driver lost control, striking a steel fence and utility pole. The vehicle overturned, coming to rest on its wheels, says Officer Travis Garrow with the California HIghway Patrol.

By Miriam Raftery

February 19, 2019 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Community Planning Group has called a special meeting to be held this Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lakeside Teen Center in the Community Center. The County will have a representative present to “explain some of the actions that the County Planning Commission has approved and is sending to the Board of Supervisors for their approval regarding changes to the local zoning ordinances that will have an effect on Lakeside,” according to an email sent by LCPG chair Brian Sesko.

Sesko told ECM that the county presented the matter as zoning “cleanup” and complying with state mandates, but that some residents who went down and ready the full proposal raised concerns about potential impacts on Lakeside and other unincorporated areas.

He added that Supervisors are slated to hear the proposed amendments next Wednesday and that the County Planning Commission already voted in favor despite some objections.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2019 (Alpine) – “The powerful storm system that swept across our region has taken a toll on our sanctuary grounds - and made a HUGE mess in its wake,” Bobbi Brink, founder of the Lions, Tigers and Bears rescue facility in Alpine writes in an e-mail to supporters.

Action comes on heels of countywide firearms trafficking investigation

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Photo: Capt. Marco Garmo,10 News

February 14, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) -- Capt. Marco Garmo, who most recently headed up the Rancho San Diego substation of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department has been placed on an administrative leave until further notice, according to ECM news partner 10News.

On the same day that the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted raids throughout San Diego County, including the large sprawling Jamul estate of San Diego jeweler Leo Hamel due to a firearms trafficking investigation, Garmo was put on leave. The Rancho San Diego substation covers the same area of Hamel’s property.

Sheriff Gore, in a e-mail obtained by 10News yesterday, states that he was made aware of potential criminal conduct by Garmo by a senior member of the Sheriff’s Department, and implies that the removal of Garmo is linked to the broader federal investigation involving Hamel’s properties.

East County News Service

February 14, 2019 (Alpine) - You’re invited to join the Alpine Chamber of Commerce “Third Thursday Mixer” on Feb. 21 at Mediterraneo’s Bistro Bar & Grill in Alpine.

Actor Dean Chisnall to visit East County high school in March

East County News Service

February 8, 2019 (Spring Valley) -- London stage actor, Dean Chisnall, will be visiting Steele Canyon Charter High School from March 7 through March 9 to help prepare the school’s theatre department for their own production of the award-winning hit, Les Misérables, premiering March 20th.  He will also be the main event in “Who Am I? An Evening with Dean Chisnall” benefit night for San Diego County theater students at Steele Canyon High School on the evening of Thursday, March 7 @ 7:00pm.  “I’m so excited and honoured to come to Steele Canyon - it’s a huge privilege to be invited to share my passion with such like minded students and staff. I’ll be there soon... See you on the barricade.” -Dean Chisnall

Source: County of San Diego

January 31, 2019 (Campo) -- The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order for the Lake Morena County Park water system located at 2550 Lake Morena Drive, Campo, effective immediately. The water system serves drinking water to recreational camping and RV sites, cabins, employee/volunteer housing, and public restrooms and showers.

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 30, 2019 (Lake Morena) - How about a fun, easy hike for the entire family?

The Nature Trail at Lake Morena County Park offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains and the lake. It’s just a half-mile and full of history. It even joins up with the popular Pacific Crest Trail!

Try out the trail here before hitting it with your family.