East County News Service

September 23, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society’s 45th annual free "History Alive" lecture series will present the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, led by Trooper Rachel Hilliard (photo,left), founder and president of the San Diego Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers, and several troop members. This special presentation will take place on Thursday, October 5 at 5 p.m. at the H. Lee House Cultural Center,3205 Olive Street in Lemon Grove.

“This extraordinary organization played a major role in America's westward expansion as they helped and saved many wagon trains of migrants, seeking farmland, pasturage and places to establish towns,”says Helen Ofield, historian to the board of the LGHS. “On every level, the Buffalo Soldiers are at the heart of American history. Don't miss this uniformed presentation.”

By Jacob Pamus

Everybody Dies by the End is a feature film written by Ian Tripp and directed by Ian and Ryan Schafer. The film was partially shot in Jamul and downtown. The film stars East County locals such as Brendan Cahalan and Vinny Curran, who owns a bar called Thrusters Lounge in Pacific Beach. Other local actors include Brendan Cahalan from El Cajon and Ian Tripp of San Carlos.

The synopsis of the film is: “A documentary crew follows cult classic horror director Alfred Costella as he makes his final film - An all-practical masterpiece...with a dark twist.” 

When asked about his experience during the production of the film, Ian Tripp told ECM, “You have to be agile to problems coming at you every minute, but the crew itself was why we surpassed any problems we had.” He went into further detail, explaining how well the crew worked together in an environment that could be very stressful.

Update: Zita Swanson has been found safe and reunited with her family.

September 21, 2023 (Ramona) -- The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit has been activated to help locate a missing woman in Ramona.

Zita Swanson, 66, left her home early this morning in the 700 block of G St. in Ramona and did not return home, says Lt. John Malan.

She does not have a vehicle, and is not believed to be carrying a cell phone or purse. Shie is Hispanic, 5'5" tall, 174 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a purple or blue striped blouse, blue jeans and black shoes.

East County News Service

September 19, 2023  (Pine Valley)—A 56-year San Diego man missed a curve while driving a motorcycle Sunday afternoon southbound on Sunrise Highway, around 1.5 miles north of Old Highway 80 in Pine Valley. He struck a guardrail and was ejected, landing approximately 100 feet down an embankment.

By Rebecca Person

photos By Pete Cerep

September15,2023 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Just when a recent crisis of hundreds of stranded undocumented people seemed to abate, local residents of San Diego County border town Jacumba Hot Springs are reporting new waves of migrants seen on foot emerging from the rugged desert here.

In recent weeks, the numbers and frequency of sightings have increased from occasional to now several groups are observed each week. The latest group on September 13 numbered 62 people who scurried over a remote desert trail and clustered in the shade of tamarisk trees beside Old Highway 80 in Jacumba.

Photos of the travelers reveal them to be mostly young men, possibly Asian, though a few women and children were seen. By contrast, most of the May migrants said they were from Haiti, Turkey, Brazil or Guatemala, according to residents who brought them water and survival supplies.

Those pictured in photos in this article were loaded into vans late in the day on  Sept. 13 to be transported to their next destination under the apparent supervision of Border Patrol, witnesses told  ECM.

By Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

September 15, 2023 (El Cajon) -- An arrest has been made in the death of a 59-year-old man in unincorporated El Cajon, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday.

By Miriam Raftery

September 13, 2023 (La Mesa) – At last night’s La Mesa City Council meeting, Councilman Jack Shu proposed replacing the city’s restrictive beekeeping ordinance with a more expanded ordinance patterned after the county of San Diego to enable backyard beekeeping.

East County News Service

September 11, 2023 (La Mesa) -- Food connoisseurs and Italian cuisine aficionados are in for a treat! Aromi Italian Cuisine, the city's newest Italian dining sensation, is proud to introduce its authentic Italian Rigatoni Carbonara crafted by none other than Andrea Carbonaro. Drawing inspiration from family recipes and the heart of Italy, he brings a taste of his heritage to every plate.

By Mike Allen

September 11,2023 (Santee)-- Santee’s Trolley Square will offer a bit of upscale shopping when Macy’s takes over the now vacant Bed Bath & Beyond space starting in November.

“They told us they’re shooting for Black Friday in November,” said Pam White, Santee’s economic development manager.

This Macy’s won’t be the same kind found in most of the regional shopping malls. Instead, it will be a scaled-down format the national chain has been testing for several years and that has garnered some success.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Mary Loeza, Mom'sTravel Team

September 10, 2023 (El Cajon) – An engine cut off while an aviation student was piloting a plane yesterday slated to land at Gillespie Field in El Cajon.  The instructor, Steve Mitchell, 67 with Blue Max Aviation, told  Fox 5 that he took over the controls and  made an emergency landing, crashing into a wire fence around the airport as well as a fence on private property, dragging it across Magnolia Avenue.

East County News Service

Sources: Twitter, USGS & Bing AI

September 8, 2023 (Lake Henshaw) -- A 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck inland North County last night at approximately 10:59 p.m. reports the United States Geological Survey.12

Search Search | East County Magazine Earthquake safety for tips in case this is a pre-shock to something worse to come within the next days or week.

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 7, 2023 (Mount Laguna, Calif.) -- A deer mouse collected near Mount Laguna on Aug. 24 during routine monitoring has tested positive for hantavirus.

Hantavirus in wild rodents is relatively common in San Diego County. This is the seventh routine detection of hantavirus in the region for calendar year 2023.  However, because wild rodents naturally avoid people, human exposure to the virus is rare. Still, County officials advise people should be careful around wild rodents as there is no cure or vaccine for hantavirus.

By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2023 (Ramona) – A head-on crash in Ramona early yesterday morning proved deadly for one driver, but the other survived with non-threatening injuries. Both young drivers were residents of Ramona. The difference? The motorist who survived was wearing a seatbelt, while the other was not.