East County News Service

October 10, 2018 (El Cajon) -- Families are invited to bring their little ones -- ages 14 and younger -- dressed up in their  funniest, silliest or scariest outfits to trick-or-treat inside Parkway Plaza shopping mall on October 31^st, Halloween night from 5-7 p.m. for a “Spooktacular” Halloween bash.   In this safe indoor environment, participating retailers will pass out candy, as long as supplies last.

Popular destination unveils renovation results; launches new center bar and high limit gaming area

East County News Service

October 10, 2018 (Alpine) -- Viejas Casino & Resort has announced the completion of its seven-year renovation and expansion. Since initiating the project in 2011, the popular destination has constructed three hotel towers, redesigned the entire property, and launched a new and extensive center bar and high limit gaming area. The project completion follows closely behind the opening of Viejas Casino & Resort’s recently developed adult-only destination, Willows Hotel & Spa.

A previously approved water rate increase will not be implemented

Source: Padre Dam Municipal Water District 

October 10, 2018 (Santee) – Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved to freeze water rates for Fiscal Year 2019. The decision to freeze rates was based on an increase in water sales the previous year compared to the District’s Budget and the strong financial position of the water operation funds. 

East County News Service

October 10, 2018 (Spring Valley) – A worker crushed by  iron beams last week at a Spring Valley metal fabrication yard has been identified as Gregorio Segundo, 29, the County Medical Examiner’s office reports.

Source: La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

October 10, 2018 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce encourages you to join them and make a difference in the lives of La Mesa homebound seniors. The Chamber is gathering items now through November 30th for 24 seniors as part of its annual drive.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

October 9, 2018 (El Cajon) – Aboard an exhilarating flight on a World War II B-17G warbird named the Sentimental Journey, WWII veterans told spellbinding stories about their experiences as combat pilots and prisoners of war.  This peace-time flight out of El Cajon’s Gillespie Field was offered on October 1st  to members of the press and public, thanks to the Arizona Memorial Museum’s staff and flight crew.  

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2018 (Alpine) –A legal settlement between the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) and the Alpine Union High School District (AUSD) contained a non-disparagement clause that has effectively muzzled Alpine education leaders and concerned parents from criticizing the GUHSD board.

By Miriam Raftery

October 5, 2018 (El Cajon) -- In his latest campaign piece titled "The Lies vs. The Facts", El Cajon Councilman Kalasho has made claims that are so outlandish that most can best be described as detached from reality. He urges voters to "don't believe what you hear in the press," despite well documented news articles in East County Magazine, the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Reader, and multilple network TV stations on his actions.

His piece derides as “fake news” reports that he is guilty of wrongdoing and fraud, faces sexual harassment claims deemed true by a judge, is accused of threatening people with an attack dog, is under investigation, and paid business fines.

Here are the actual documents from official government agencies, court records and more proving that all of these facts reported are the media are not "fake news," but provably true:

CANCELLED:

Due to most invitees having conflicts on this date, this event is cancelled. The good news is we're changing the date and location- but we will still be having our annual Halloween party. The new event will be Sunday evening, October 28 at a private residence on Mt. Helix with great music and prizes--just $10 and bring a dish to share! Watch for details soon.

October 5, 2018 (Jamul) -- You're invited to our "Witches Wine  & Dine" haunting Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 4-8 p.m. at Granite Lion Cellars Winery in Jamul!

The fun begins in the wine tasting room at 4 p.m., followed by a catered dinner in the haunted oak grove with music by DJ Doug on Sax, catering by Freshly Prepped, a costume contest and a treasure-trove of prizes!  

RSVP and pre-pay before Oct. 20 ($45 per person)

Checks: Mail to East County Magazine, 4438 Hideaway Place, La Mesa, CA 91941

Credit cards or Paypal:  Tickets at www.EastCountyMedia.org/events

Special thanks to California Coast Credit Union for sponsoring entertainment for this very special event.

Scroll down for the devilishly delicious details!

By Miriam Raftery

October 5, 2018 (Alpine) – Nine candidates are running for seven seats on the Alpine Community Planning Group, including incumbents Glenda Archer, Louis Russo, James Easterling, Richard Saldano Jr. and George Barnett, as well as challengers Justin Johnston, a general contractor/entrepreneur, writer Mary Harris, retired school Superintendent Albert Haven and real estate attorney Jennifer Swanson.

It costs hundreds of dollars to submit a ballot statement to the Registrar of Voters, which can be prohibitive for some candidates, especially those running for all-volunteer positions on planning groups. Only four candidates submitted ballot statements to the Registrar (Barnett, Haven, Johnston,and Russo). A sixth, Mary Harris, sent her statement to East County Magazine and asked us to publish it. We’ve reached out to other candidates who left contact info with the Registrar and invited them to send theirs in, too. Jim Easterling replied by our deadline and his has been added below. Statements of those available are published below, in alphabetical order:

By Miriam Raftery

October 4, 2018 (El Cajon) – Masked guests, exciting musical entertainment and a glamourous fashion show at the elegant Crystal Ballroom in El Cajon were all part of an evening of glitz and glamour at a Masquerade Ball September 28^th to benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Simple Construct

Hear our interview on KNSJ radio with homeowners Brian and Susan Fallgren, Simple Construct builder Rebeca Tasker, and SDG&E communications manager Helen Gao.

 View video on the home’s construction and view tour of the finished residence. 

July 14, 2018 (Campo) – Inspired by historical California adobe homes,  Brian and Susan Fallgren in Campo teamed up with Simple Construct to create a straw bale and adobe home that is beautiful, comfortable even in extreme heat, fire resistant and energy efficient—producing more power than it uses. 

The home has also won numerous honors.  It’s the first residence in Southern California to receive net zero certification through the Living Building Challenge, one of only 27 homes in the world to win this recognition.  A participant in the California Advanced Homes Program, it was also a winner in  the San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) 13^th annual  Energy Showcase Awards and will be featured on the San Diego Green Building Council’s Green Homes Tour on Sunday, October 21.

“It’s an incredibly functional, comfortable home to live in, not only from an environmental standpoint, but from an every day livability standpoint,” Susan Fallgren says.

East County News Service

October 3, 2018 (Ramona) – A free Ramona fire prevention and preparedness workshop will be held on Thursday, October 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ramona Library, 1275 Main Street in Ramona.

Participants include representatives from Cal Fire, County Fire Authority, California Highway Patrol, Sheriff’s department, County Animal Services, and more.  View flyer for full details.

The forum is cosponsored by Hatfield Creek and Ramona Ranch Wineries.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Dave Myers, Bill Baber, Akilah Weber and Guy McWhirter

September 29, 2018 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Councilmembers Bill Baber and Guy McWhirter are running on their records. Their challengers, retired Sheriff’s commander Dave Myers and physician Akilah Weber, are running on the slogan “Elect a cop and a doc.” East County Magazine sat down with all four candidates on our radio show, originally aired on KNSJ. 

Key issues in La Mesa include affordable housing and development vs. community character, downtown revitalization, crime and public safety, public health,  marijuana regulations, the city’s climate action plan, and a potential new library.

You can click the audio links at the bottom of this story to hear each interview, and scroll down for highlights. Candidates are listed in the order that they scheduled their interviews.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Ben and Jessica Kalasho

October 2, 2018 (El Cajon) – A process server has filed a report with El Cajon Police (incident #938) accusing Councilman Ben Kalasho of threatening him with an attack dog on September 26.  The incident comes on the heels of a similar police complaint filed by East County Magazine reporter Paul Kruze, who reported that Kalasho threatened him with the same dog in July.

According to an email sent by Knox Services, the process server company, to attorney Jennifer Hasso, the threat occurred while a process server was attempting to serve Jessica Kalasho, the Councilman’s wife, at their residence regarding a civil lawsuit in which the Kalashos are accused of harassing and defaming multiple plaintiffs. ECM has viewed a copy of that letter with the police incident number.