By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2018 (Alpine) — You’re invited to get 2018 tax filing tips from Roger Garay, Online Bookkeeping & Tax Service, and hear about the Alpine Honorary Mayor campaign. 

Both are on the agenda for the Alpine-Mountain Empire’s “Hot Topics” breakfast at Janet’s Montana Café, 2506 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. The event will be on Feb. 13 from 7:15 a.m. to 9 a.m.

By Miriam Raftery

January 28, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – With a red flag warning in effect due to high fire danger and gusty Santa Ana winds forecast through Monday, San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) has once again shut off power to many rural and mountain communities.  An outage map curiously labels these as “unplanned outages” even though clicking on communities shown in the SDG&E outages map reveals a message stating that in most of the current outages, “We’ve shut off the power for safety.” 

Power went off last night (Saturday evening) and is not slated for restoration until mid-to-late afternoon on Monday.

The power is presently out in many areas including the East County communitise Boulevard, Live Oak Springs, Descanso, Pine Valley, Alpine, Pine Hills, Santa Ysabel and surrounding communities, affecting thousands of customers. Portions of North County including Valley Center and the Pauma area are also without power.

By Paul Kruze; Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

Hear court audio

Read appellate decision

January 21, 2018 (Alpine) -- Just as students returned to school after winter break last week, lawyers for the Alpine Union School District (AUSD), Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability and Grossmont Union High School District returned to court in front of a three-judge tribunal headed by Associate Justice Patricia D. Benke of the 4th District California Superior Court of Appeals.  

But a week later, the court panel upheld an earlier ruling by Judge Pressman against Alpine, agreeing that the GUHSD need not keep millions of dollars set aside for an Alpine High School that now may never be built, despite previous bond measures approved by voters that included funds for the school. Then on Friday, the State Board of Education denied Alpine's unification petition that would have enabled the AUSD to build the high school. The double losses may prove to be knock-out blows for the hard-fought effort to bring a high school to Alpine.

By Miriam Raftery

January 24, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – County Supervisors on Tuesday approved a proposal to accept bids from outside animal welfare organizations seeking to compete against the County’s Animal Services Department to provide services in the County’s unincorporated areas, including rural, desert and mountain regions in East County as well as neighborhoods such as Spring Valley, Alpine, and Lakeside. In East County, the city of Santee will also be impacted.

An open letter to County Planning and Development Services by Mary Harris

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 17, 2018 (Spring Valley) - For the first high school coverage of the new year, ECM traveled to Spring Valley, where the Vaqueros of El Capitan saw the Monte Vista Monarchs in the pool.  The lady Monarchs have a rough start to the season, going 2-4 overall and winless in league (0-2).  The Vaqueros are doing a little better; 6-5 overall but also winless (0-2) in league.

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2018 (Spring Valley) – A raid at The Bakery, an illegal marijuana dispensary at 9215 Birth Street in Spring Valley, yesterday morning resulted in seizure of large amounts of marijuana, marijuana edibles, cash, marijuana paraphernalia and other items.

The advisory group recommends a plan to Supervisors for extensive redevelopment of Campo Road, plus a park on Conrad Drive

by Paul Kruze

Hear audio files of Valle de Oro planning group meeting:

Casa De Oro Revitalization

Estrella County Park

View the Casa de Oro options comparison table

January 9, 2018 (Casa de Oro) -- Before the main freeway arteries of State Highway 94 and Interstate Highway 8 were built, Campo Road in the East County community of Casa de Oro was a center of community and commerce. Even earlier, Campo Road served as a wagon road providing access to eastern San Diego County as well as Imperial County; it was added to the state highway system in 1933. But lack of vision and planning in the last 20 years has caused Campo Road to now be home to empty storefronts, liquor stores, smoke shops, medical marijuana dispensaries, dive bars, massage parlors, hookah lounges, and tattoo parlors interspersed with other businesses. Some of these shops turn a blind eye to local and state laws and regulations.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

January 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Restaurant Week will be held January 21^st through 28^th, offering up three-course dinners from $20-$50 and two-courses lunches for $10-$20.

This year, five East County restaurants are participating, including the Final Cut Steakhouse in Jamul and four La Mesa eateries:  Farmer’s Table, Bo-Beau’s Kitchen and Garden, Antica Trattoria and Terra Bistro.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated September 6, 2018 with response from SDG&E

September 4, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- Supervisor Dianne Jacob has sent a letter to California Public Utilities Chairman Michael Picker requesting a formal investigation and independent review by the agency into  San Diego Gas & Electric’s decision to shut off power to thousands of San Diego County residents during recent Santa Ana winds, ostensibly to prevent power lines from sparking fires. 

In an email to ECM, a CPUC spokesman has confirmed that the regulatory agency will conduct an investigation into the intentional outages.

By Miriam Raftery

January 3, 2018 (Dehesa) – Karen Kirkpatrick has been named a provisional appointee by the Dehesa School Board to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of Vincent Blanco.  Kirkpatrick will fill the vacancy until the election on November 3^rd, unless a petition calling for a special election is filed with the County Superintendent of Schools within 30 days of the December 18^th appointment.

East County News Service

December 30, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- Keeping the brain sharp is vital to enjoying a full and rewarding lifestyle at any age. Dr. Linda Sasser will present simple strategies to maintain and even improve brain function during “Keep Your Brain Fit and Your Memory Sharp,” a free program scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., at Mount Miguel Covenant Village, 325 Kempton St., Spring Valley.

By Miriam Raftery

December 30, 2017 (Ramona) – La Dolce Vita Alpacas invites you to spend New Year’s Day at their 10-acre ranch in Ramona, which will host an open house on Monday, January 1^st from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

Learn about alpacas and their history, pet or feed cuddly alpacas, watch a wool spinning demonstration, and have an opportunity to purchase alpaca yarn and products made from alpaca wool. 

Source: County of San Diego

December 30, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- On September 27, the County Board of Supervisors directed Planning & Development Services staff to develop options for a plan that could revitalize the Casa de Oro area. The project is focused along Campo Road and the surrounding areas.

Staff will be presenting the proposed options at the following three meetings.  You’re invited to come hear the options and provide your input and ideas.