July 24, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- The National Weather Service has issued a flash flooding and extreme thunderstorm warning for the southeast portions of San Diego County in effect now through 4 p.m.  Locations likely to experience flooding include  Alpine, I-8 Between Pine Valley And Boulevard, Lake Morena, Potrero, Campo, Pine Valley, Descanso, Tecate, Guatay and Barrett  Lake.

Photo, right: Rainstorm over Boulevard, taken by Donna Tisdale this afternoon

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS:

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, country roads, farmland, and other low lying  spots.

In hilly terrain there are hundreds of low water crossings which are potentially dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.

By Preston Brown

Photo: Preston Brown, copyright (c) 2019

July 23, 2019, (San Diego’s East County) -- Recently at the Board of Supervisors hearing on the Otay Ranch V14 Project, “Adara," all the issues of land use in the wildland urban interface (WUI), environmental protection, conservation, urban planning, housing sprawl, fire safety and the County process for granting approval came together in this one project proposal for Proctor Valley in the Jamul Dulzura Sub Area Plan jurisdiction. 

Some people have a knack for hitting the bull’s eye. That would be our Supervisor Dianne Jacob of the 2nd District. Dianne spoke first and her first question was this. ‘Do you folks have any fire insurance?’ ‘Have you been able to get fire insurance?’ This was a memorable moment. The room just froze. A proposal for 1,119 new high-density housing sprawl in a very high fire prone area in California and no one had thought about fire insurance.

Updated July 23, 2019 with comments from Grossmont Center

By Miriam Raftery

July 22, 2019 (La Mesa) – At tomorrow night’s 6 p.m. meeting, the La Mesa City Council is expected to decide on the future of the city’s farmer’s market, following a rift in the community over the market’s location and who should run the popular event.

The city received four proposals, but one applicant, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, has withdrawn its bid and endorsed a proposal submitted by Grossmont Center. “The Chamber is all about serving our members and our community and that is why we took this path,” Chamber President and CEO Mary England told ECM in an email tonight.

By Donald H. Harrison

Originally published at San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Network

Photo:  Julian Hotel, formerly Hotel Robinson

July 21, 2019 (Julian) - Whites who had been slaveholders and blacks who had been slaves contributed to the early history of Julian.  Today, in the colorful mountain town of gold mines, apples and antiques, both groups of people as well as other ethnic groups  are remembered and honored.

East County News Service

July 20, 2019 (Spring Valley) - Christian Rods & Customs Car Club announces its 20th Annual “Classic Car Show” to be held on Saturday, August 24th, 2019 from 9am until 2pm at Faith Chapel located at 9400 Campo Road in Spring Valley. Pre-registration fee of $25 due by August 20th or $30 day of show. The first 100 registrants will receive a dash plaque, T-Shirt, goodie bag and raffle ticket. All cars, trucks & bikes welcome! No year or model limits!

By Mimi Pollack

July 19, 2019 (La Mesa) - There is nothing better than to see a labor of love come to its fruition.  After six incarnations, the musical play, 33 1/3 House of Dreams, will be presented at the SD REP during the month of August. It is a “dream come true” for Jonathan Rosenberg and Dr. Brad Ross. The history ofhow this play came about is also interesting.

It all started at the dentist’s office. Since 1989, San Carlos dentist, Dr. Brad Ross, has been and continues to beJonathan Rosenberg’s dentist. For many years, they shared a cordial professional relationship. Ross knew that Rosenberg was a special education teacher/psychologist in La Mesa, but it took some years for him to discover that Rosenberg was also a musician and music historian.

East County News Service

July 19, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Robert Gehr sent in this photo of a native Cottontail Rabbit spotted near city hall in downtown El Cajon.  Winter rains have encouraged growth in grasses and native wildlife that rely on grasses for feed and habitat.

Remember to avoid use of chemical pesticides on your grass, which can also harm cute critters like this one!

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

July 19, 2019 (San Diego) - The public can give input on whether the County should buy and sell electricity during four informational forums set for coming weeks.

Board supervisors started exploring the idea of starting a community choice energy program, also known as community choice aggregation, in February.

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

July 18, 2019 (San Diego) – Over two years after a sexual harassment and fraud lawsuit was filed against Ben and Jessica Kalasho, the couple was arraigned last Friday in San Diego Superior Court on multiple counts of contempt of court. The former El Cajon Councilman and his wife are charged with failing to provide subpoenaed documents and actively interfering in the judicial process.

According to legal experts, the punishment for contempt of court can vary greatly. If it is a matter of urgency or if the contempt was done in front of a judge, the punishment can be immediate. Punishment can range from imprisonment of up to five years, to jail time merely until the defendant complies with the order or fine.

East County News Service

July 18, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A high pressure system moving into our region will bring monsoonal moisture capable of producing thunderstorms, heavy downpours, high winds and flash flooding starting Sunday through at least Wednesday. The storms are mainly expected to impact the mountain and desert regions.

UPDATE AS OF 6:49 PM:  ALL EVACUATION ORDERS LIFTED

UPDATE AS OF 5:19 PM:  forward rate of spread stopped.  Fire at 10% containment.  Evacuation orders still in effect.

UPDATE AS OF 5:05 PM:  fire is 25 acres and 5% contained

UPDATE:  EVACUATION ORDERS ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE STREETS OF TRAFALGAR RD., VISTA DE LA MONTAN AND CALLE DE NICOLE

East County News Service

July 17, 2019 (Dehesa) - Cal Fire is battling a vegetation fire off Vista De La Montana in the Dehesa area. The fire is eight acres with a moderate rate of spread. There is a report of structures threatened.

Sign up at the top right side of our homepage to receive free East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts via email. You can also follow EastCountyAlert on Twitter for brief text alerts on your mobile phone.