By Miriam Raftery

October 29, 2015 (Alpine) – For Alpine parents, it sounds like a Halloween horror story.  But it's an unexpected treat for the board majority at the Grossmont Union High School District.  Today, Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman (photo) issued a tentative ruling granting Grossmont 's motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Alpine parents and taxpayers. 

The suit sought to  force the district to turn over funds to build an Alpine high school, which voters twice voted to approve in Propositions H and U. The board's action drew scrutiny from the County Grand Jury, which issued a scathing report titled "Fool us once, fool us twice?"

The tentative ruling comes as a shock since Judge Pressman  previously denied an attempt by Grossmont to dismiss the case and set a trial date for early December, as ECM reported. In his earlier ruling, the judge rejected Grossmont’s arguments that it did not have a contract commitment with Alpine to build a high school and that the text of Prop U did not compel the district to build the long-promised school.

Photo: SOITEC panel at Newberry Springs, similar to panels approved for Boulevard.

By Miriam Raftery

October 16, 2015 (Boulevard) – By a 4 to 1 vote with only Supervisor Dianne Jacob opposed, the Board of Supervisors this week approved a revised version of the controversial Rugged Acres industrial solar facility and rescinded approval of an earlier plan.

A judge had tossed out the original environmental impact review because massive battery storage facilities were added after public comment was closed.  Supervisors approved a revamped plan with the energy storage facility removed.

Supervisor Jacob stated, “I strongly support solar but I believe it belongs on rooftops of both single family homes and businesses and a solar farm in the right location,” Jacob said. “This project would potentially industrialize our back country which was never meant to be. The project can no longer live up to the promises and major use findings that are needed for approval.”

East County News Service

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

October 13, 2015 (Alpine) – The bodies of a 43-year-old woman and a man of unknown age were found by firefighters inside a burned home in the 700 block of South Grade Road in Alpine.  The Alpine Community Network reports that the woman was a mother of three.

By Mike Allen

Photos by Janis Russell

October 8, 2015 (La Mesa)--Emotions got nearly out of control at a packed Helix Water District meeting Oct. 7 as customers lashed out at the board’s plan to raise rates over the next five years.

After more than three hours of presentations from water district staff and testimony from angry customers, the five-member elected board voted 3-2 to adopt a five-year rate increase plan, beginning Nov. 1 and continuing to 2020.

October 3, 2015 (Flinn Springs)—The Alpine Stagecoach Lions Club is holding its inaugural “Trick or Treat” Dog Show on Saturday, October 24, at 15602 Olde Highway 80, Flinn Springs. Doors open at 10 a.m. Dog Show from 1 – 4 p.m. with a costume contest, prizes and trophies, and special guest appearance by Muttley Cyrus. Food and fun can be had for all, and, while you are there, you’re invited to visit the pumpkin patch at Summer’s Past Farms. All proceeds from this event go directly to purchase a seeing-eye service dog for someone in need!

Update: The County site now says this item will not be on the agenday Oct. 14.  Check the County Supervisors' agenda for updates.

October 1, 2015 (San Diego)—San Diego Supervisors will hold a hearing on Soitec Solar’s final remaining project in Boulevard on October 14^th.  Supervisors will consider a Revised Final Program Environmental Impact Report for the project that can be viewed here: http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/ceqa/Soitec-Solar-RFPEIR.html.   The hearing documents will be posted at http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa.html in advance of the hearing.

September 29, 2015 (Alpine)—Alpine Country Gifts & Crafts is hosting its 22^nd annual “Something to Crow About”  Craft and Harvest Festival from Thursday October 8 through Saturday October 10. The event will be held at Alpine Woman’s Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd., Alpine, and features crafts and homemade items, including “Owl Nesting Boxes.”

East County News Service

September 27, 2017 (Alpine)—Phevos, a  17-year-old tiger rescued from Greece and given refuge at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine has died.

In an e-mail from LTB, founder Bobbie Brink states, “Phevos' health had been on a slow decline over the last two months.

September 25, 2015 (Spring Valley)—A San Diego Laurel and Hardy Group, Saps at Sea, will present a Howl-o-Ween Spooky Spectacular event on October 31 starting at 7 p.m. at Williams Hall at Trinity Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley. 

The event features Laurel and Hardy comedy films, a creepy cartoon, and guest comedians. The evening will also include a 3-D treat as well as a tribute to the late John Locke of Lyric Pines Theatre and more.

President of East County realtor trade group is directing realtor talent show

East County  News Service; photo  by Carey Guthrie

View video from the 2014 Un-fashion and Variety Show: http://youtu.be/XtBkvN8ETOw

September 21, 2015 (Alpine)--Who said real estate agents can only sell houses?

Alpine resident Carey Guthrie is directing and producing a talent show that will feature dancing and singing abilities of realtors from throughout San Diego County. Guthrie manages two real estate sales offices in La Mesa Village for Windermere Real Estate SoCal. She also serves as the 2015 president of the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR).

On Thursday, Sept. 24, PSAR will present a fun-filled evening of fashion, food and entertainment at its fourth annual Un-Fashion and Variety Show at the Scottish Rite Event Center, 1895 Camino del Rio South in Mission Valley. Proceeds will benefit the Military Warriors Support Foundation.

East County News Service

September 20, 2015 (Descanso)—Three local  alpaca farmers are teaming up to offer an open house Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Descanso as part of National Alpaca Farm Days.

Visitors are invited to “feel the fleece” as well as tour the Atlas Alpacas Farm (9718 River Drive in Descanso), experience live demonstrations, learn about raising and breeding alpacas, and shop for alpaca products.

"This is fiscal irresponsibility...The bond oversight is a joke." -- Nick Marinovich, bond oversight committee member who recently resigned in protest (photo, left).

"I don't think the public is aware of the damage being done by a handful of special interests." -- Jim Kelly, board member, referring to Alpine parents and taxpayers who sued the district over its failure to build the Alpine high school

By Janis Russell; Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

September 15, 2015 (El Cajon)- At the September 10^th Grossmont Union High School District board meeting, president Robert Shield gave his report regarding a lawsuit the board is facing filed by citizens of Alpine. An update on Propositions H and U was presented to the board. The majority approved an agreement with CliffordMoss and John Hoy to study  the likelihood that voters would re-authorize Prop U bonds or issuance of new bonds.

That could be a tough sell to voters, since the district is being sued by Alpine taxpayers for failing to spend Prop H and U bonds on building an Alpine high school as spelled out in the bonds. The district has claimed enrollment triggers weren't met, though multiple knowledgeable insiders have repeatedly reported that triggers were met.

Kylie Rowand Foundation founded by Alpine parents aims to help fight childhood cancer

By Janis Russell

September 11, 2015 (Jamul)—Luke and Bree Rowand lost their young daughter, Kylie, to neuroblastoma last February.  Now they have started the Kylie Rowand Foundation in hopes of sparing other families from having to endure with such a devastating loss.

September 7, 2015 (Spring Valley) – The San Miguel Fire Protection District is offering a free disaster preparedness training course for its Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Classes will be held on four Saturdays Oct. 17-Nov. 7 at the San Miguel Fire District Headquarters, 2850 Via Orange Way in Spring Valley from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

September 4, 2015 (Alpine)--Bobbi Brink, Founder/Director of San Diego's Lions Tigers & Bears (LTB) sanctuary announced that a 2.5 month old tiger cub found roaming the Southern California neighborhood of Hemet is being transferred to the accredited sanctuary in East San Diego County on Friday afternoon.