Source:  Saps at Sea

December 3, 2018 (Spring Valley) - Saps at Sea, the San Diego chapter of the Sons of the Desert, the official Laurel & Hardy fan organization, invites you to their last meeting of the year on December 29 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at Williams Hall at Trinity Presbytarian Church in Spring Valley.

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2018 (Alpine) – Alpine resident Rhonda Lamar will be opening her home on December 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to showcase 25 decorated, themed Christmas trees – all to benefit Rady Chldren’s Hospital of San Diego.  She’s decked the halls with a popular peppermint tree, a wine tree, a monkey tree and an elf tree, among others. All guests will also be treated to apple cider and cookies.

By Miriam Raftery

November 22, 2018 (Spring Valley) – The creator of the Magical Forest in Las Vegas has brought her talents to Noah Homes at 12526 Campo Road in in Spring Valley, where the Enchanted Village Festival of Trees & Lights will be open to the public December 14-16 and 21-23.  View video: https://vimeo.com/301286492/bf29b3c559

Tickets cost $14.99 for adults and $9.99 for children  ages 3-12; three’s a limit of 500 tickets per night so advance purchase is advised.  You can reserve tickets online at www.EnchantedVillage.org. All proceeds from this delightful holiday display will benefit programs to help Noah Homes residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

East County News Service

November 16, 2018 (Alpine) – You’re invited to bring the kids and savor breakfast with Santa at the Alpine Community Center (1830 Alpine Blvd., Alpine) on Saturday, December 8 from 9-11 a.m.

Every child will receive a gift from Santa! There will also be holiday crafts for kids.

Proceeds benefit the Alpine Community Center.  Tickets ($15 adults, children ages 4-9 $5, under 3 years free) are available at www.AlpineCommunityCenter.com.  For more information, call 619-445-7330.

By Miriam Raftery

November 15, 2018 (San Diego) -- On Tuesday, San Diego County announced that several proposed General Plan Amendments to allow construction of massive development projects will not be heard by the Board of Supervisors in 2018 due to litigation over the County’s climate action plan and a court injunction.  Projects with hearings postponed include Lilac Hills Ranch, Otay Village 14, Planning Areas 16 and 19, Warner Ranch, and Property Specific Requests.

Visit rescued big cats and exotic animals as they enjoy their own Thanksgiving feast

Source:  Lions, Tigers and Bears

November 13, 2018 (Alpine) - Looking for something fun to do the Friday after Thanksgiving?  Bring your family and friends to visit the rescued animals of Lions Tigers & Bears Big Cat and Exotic Animal Sanctuary for the annual Turkey Bash.   

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Daniel Ayala, courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

November 12, 2018 (Alpine) – Sheriff’s deputies were called by an employee in the Summit at Alpine apartment complex who reported a man threatening to kill someone. Deputies arrived eight minutes later and report that the man charged at them with a knife. Multiple deputies fired shots, killing the suspect. 

By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- Two East County school districts appear to have reached the 55% majority needed for passage, but a third failed to meet the mark, with 100% of precincts counted but some mail-in and provisional ballots still to be tallied.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: left:  Nathan Fltecher toasts victory with champagne and a dance with his wife, Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher; right, Jim Desmond, new Supervisor whose district includes Borrego Springs and some inland mountain towns

November 7, 2018 (San Diego) – Due to term  limits, Supervisors Bill Horn and Ron Roberts are leaving office.

In the race to fill Roberts’ seat, former Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher has defeated former District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis by a  65% to 35% margin with 69% of precincts counted, becoming only the second Democrat in three decades to serve on the County Board of Supervisors. Fletcher, formerly a Republican and independent; he is married to powerhouse Democratic Assemblywoman and former labor council leader Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher.

Bill Horn’s seat will be filled by San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond, a Republican and part-time pilot for United Airlines. Desmond defeated Michelle Gomez, a Democrat and legislative analyst, by a 60/40 margin as of this morning’s tally. Horn’s district includes portions of northeast San Diego County include Borrego Springs, Warner Springs, Ranchita, Pauma Valley and Valley Center as well as north coastal communities. Desmond also serves on the San Diego Regional Association of Governments (SANDAG) the San Diego Regional Airport Authority, and the County Economic Development Corporation.

Source: Alpine Fire Department 

Photo:  Division Chief Brian Boggeln and Captain Greg O’Gorman take the oath and are sworn in to their positions.

November 1, 2018 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Fire Protection District (AFPD) recently announced the promotions of Brian Boggeln and Greg O’Gorman.  The promotions were effective on October 1st.  Both firefighters participated in a badge pinning ceremony where they were ‘pinned’ by their wives and recognized for their accomplishments by the AFPD Board of Directors at the October 16^th Board meeting.  

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Bicyclists trekking along Old Highway 80 in bike lanes.

October 31, 2018 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a new plan Wednesday that could eventually add several hundred miles of safer, more convenient bicycle lanes to roads in and around unincorporated communities.

By Miriam Raftery

View full agenda

View minutes from last meeting

View letter from Mark Wardlaw on wind health impacts study

October 30, 2018 (Boulevard) – The Boulevard Planning Group will meet Thursday, November 1^st at 7 p.m. in the Backcountry Resource Center (39919 Ribbon Rd., Boulevard  behind the old fire station).  Action items include Chair Donna Tisdale’s request to respond to a letter from County Planning Department Director Mark Wardlaw in which Wardlaw advised that the County Health and Human Services Agency is preparing a report on human health effects of wind turbines.  The group will also vote on opposing placement of Alvin Quarles, a sexually violent predator, in Jacumba.

East County News Service

October 28, 2018 (Alpine) – Richard Edwords of Alpine sent in this adorable photo of his 11-month-old daughter, Kenzie, with her “pumpkin surprise” pose.

Source:  Alpine Fire Protection District

October 26, 2018 (Alpine) - The Alpine Fire Protection District (AFPD) Board of Directors approved waiving plan check fees and permits for all victims of the West Fire.  At the October 16, 2018 meeting of the AFPD Board of Directors a resolution was passed with all Directors voting for approval.  The resolution allows all victims rebuilding destroyed or damaged structures to do so without having to pay plan check fees and permits.