East County News Service

August 28, 2018 (Borrego Springs) -- What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of a parade—a holiday? Decorated floats? Marching bands? What about thousands of people gathered in the middle of the desert for a parade themed “eyes to the skies?” Far from your average hometown parade, the 53^rd annual Borrego Days Desert Festival on October 20^th will feature an all new gravity-defying air parade.

East County News Service

August 27, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library at 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, is now presenting its Summer Art Exhibit showcasing 24 oil paintings created in a collaborative process by seniors and disabled adults living at Del Cerro Manor, a San Diego private residential care facility for the elderly. The exhibit runs through September.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Runway at Gillespie Field, where the plane departed from on Wednesday

August 26, 2018 (Descanso) — David Alan Derby, 77, of Santee and Ryan Michael Willis, 36, of San Diego were killed in a plane crash near Descanso on Wednesday.  The plane, a single-engine 1682G Champion 7KCAB, was owned by Derby’s company, Three Point Partners Inc.

East County News Service

August 22, 2018 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The Department of State Hospitals has proposed the release of Alvin Quarles, a sexually violent predator, at 43050 Desert Rose Ranch Road in Jacumba Hot Springs.  A serial rapist, Quarles attacked victims at knifepoint while they were sleeping in their homes or hotel rooms. He sometimes raped women in front of their husbands or boyfriends, and at times forced them to have sex while he watched.  Investigators suspect he was responsible for over a dozen assaults in San Diego County during the 1980s. In 1989, he was sentenced to 50 years in prison under a plea bargain.

East County News Service

August 22, 2018 (La Mesa) – Following several successful events at local restaurants aimed at encouraging people to put down cell phones and enjoy interacting with others during dinners out, Unplugged Dining announces a Sept. 18 “Control Your Tech” workshop as well as “Tech Break Tuesday” events at local restaurants on Sept. 25. See below for details.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Councilman Kalasho's Facebook followers have shrunk to just 21 people following his numerous ethical and legal controversies.

August 17, 2018 (El Cajon)—El Cajon Councilman Bessmon "Ben" Kalasho tried to reregister as a member of the Federalist Party earlier this week, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. However, the Federalist Party is not recognized in California, so Kalasho is now officially a “decline to state party affiliation” voter.

Originally the party of founding fathers Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, the Federalist Party advocated for a strong federal government but dissolved in the 1820s.  In 2016, a new Federalist Party formed with a polar opposite view, touting smaller government.

By Miriam Raftery

August 21, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Police are searching for a gray Toyota sedan that pulled alongside a Toyota Corolla and opened fire Sunday night at 9:53 p.m. on westbound highway 94 near College Avenue in Lemon Grove.  

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Author and historian James D. Newland with his book, Grossmont Hospital: A Legacy of Community Service

August 19, 2018 (La Mesa)—Author and historian James D. Newland’s latest book, Grossmont Hospital: A Legacy of Community Service, provides a fascinating look into the colorful history of East County as well as the hospital itself and the evolution of healthcare in our region.

Newland was honored Thursday at the Grossmont Healthcare District headquarters with a reception attended by the district’s board of directors and community VIPs. Following appetizers and brews served up by Burning Beard brewery, the district’s CEO Barry Jantz and board president Michael Emerson gave welcoming remarks. 

Newland signed copies of his book, noting that the biggest challenge in its creation was handling the controversy over the hospital merging with Sharp Healthcare, a move that kept East County’s major hospital financially viable at a time when rising costs drove some other healthcare facilities under.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

August 18, 2018 (Santee) -- On August 19^th, inside the Santee Library, the Santee Mobile-Home Owner’s Action Committee, Inc. (SMOAC) will hold their 4^th Annual Backpack & School Supplies Movement.  Backpacks filled with school supplies will be handed out, free to students, at 10 a.m. until supplies are exhausted.

Fundraiser tonight

By Jo Moreland

August 18, 2018 (Alpine) -- Alpine has moved from emergency relief to recovery since the July 6 West Fire destroyed and damaged dozens of homes and other buildings.

That’s the assessment of authorities still working to help about 55 families displaced after flames blazed through the eastern edges of the foothills community of about 16,000 people.

Despite positive changes, budget clouds loom as city draws on reserves for operating expenses

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

August 16, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- Members of the Lemon Grove City Council and other city officials are grappling with concerns about a major budget deficit poised to sour the city’s future. The problem has led to media speculation that Lemon Grove might give up cityhood and become part of the County’s unincorporated area.

Yet, to a packed-to-the-rafters community room, recently-elected Mayor Raquel Vasquez painted a positive picture about the city’s many accomplishments in the past year and its challenges in the coming year. During her first State of the City address last week, the Mayor did raise the city’s financial dilemma, but not seeds for solutions over the long term.

By Miriam Raftery

August 16, 2018 (Lakeside) – The body of 12-year-old Lia Rose Barakett was recovered yesterday from the San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside, where she fell overboard from a boat during an outing with family and friends. Barakett, a Canadian resident, was visiting the area when the tragedy occurred.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

August 16, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- “Listen for sprinklers, they sound like sprinklers,” says Tom Minga, a rattlesnake specialist.

Minga, a Flinn Springs resident, who owns Snake Solutions Removal & Relocation, recommends listening for rattlers when you are out in nature or even in your house.   

Celebrating the future of East County’s water with a FREE, fun event

Source:  Padre Dam Municipal Water District

August 15, 2018 (Santee) - Celebrate water at the East County Water Festival on Saturday, September 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East County Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project Visitor Center in Santee.

By Ken Stone

Originally published by Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo by Ken Stone

August 14, 2018 (la Mesa) - A year ago this week, 25-year-old Rebekah Basson attended her first meeting as a newly appointed school board member in East County — based in part on her pledge to run for a full term in November 2018.