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.

East County News Service

January 14, 2019  (Jamul) – The highly anticipated 2019 Restaurant Week will feature two Jamul Casino^® restaurants: Prime Cut and Tony Gwynn’s.  Sponsored by the California Restaurant Association’s San Diego Chapter, San Diego Restaurant Week is January 20-27, 2019.  Over 180 restaurants will participate in the event.  As an opportunity to highlight their tastiest fare, many restaurants will offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus especially for the event.

East County News Service

January 11, 2019 (Alpine) — Baron’s Market in Alpine will host a backroom beer pairing with 100% of proceeds donated to benefit Alpine schools/PTA. The fundraiser will be held on Wednesday, January 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.  As the market transforms its loading dock and stockroom into a local brew speakeasy, guests will sample beers from Refuge Brewery with gourmet bites made from the market’s natural ingredients.

By Miriam Raftery

January 5, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — Disturbing results of a new mental health evaluation have halted the state’s plan to release Alvin Quarles into the Jacumba Hot Springs community in San Diego’s East County.

City officials plan to explore housing migrants seeking asylum at a shuttered juvenile facility in Alpine and county officials will explore options next week. An especially chaotic holiday season highlighted the need for more resources, shelter space and coordination to serve the thousands of asylum-seeking families federal officials are releasing in San Diego.

By Maya Srikrishnan and Lisa Halverstadt, Voice of San Diego

January 4, 2019 (San Diego) -- After waiting a month and seven days in Tijuana to seek asylum on the other side of the border, Leonardo Garcia and his family ended up outside a San Ysidro McDonald’s after dark.