Update February 13, 2019: Judge Whitney has issued a final ruling keeping the City of Lemon Grove as a defendant in this case.

By Miriam Raftery

February 11, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – A witness has disputed a key claim made by Lemon Grove Councilman David Arambula in a civil suit filed by marijuana dispensary applicant Christopher Williams against Arambula and Lemon Grove.  Williams alleges that he Arambula cut his face with a beer bottle, bit, choked and punched him after a meeting at Arambula’s home regarding the dispensary application.

Source: Cuyamaca College

February 10, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) -- A wide assortment of musicians ranging from a San Diego mariachi band that has played at the Super Bowl to one of the most in-demand French hornists in the country will be performing in this year’s Spring Concert Series at Cuyamaca College beginning Feb. 28.

All performances, except the Coyote Music Festival, will be held at the Samuel M. Ciccati Theatre in the Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center. The annual Coyote Music Festival will be held at Cuyamaca College’s Grand Lawn.

On tap for the Spring Concert Series:

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

February 8, 2019 (Santee) - San Diego County Crime Stoppers along with investigators from the Santee Sheriff's Station are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating an unknown suspect who stole a purse from an unlocked vehicle and used stolen credits cards to make purchases at various stores in Santee.

East County News Service

February 7, 2019 (La Mesa) - If you are looking for a thin and crispy East Coast style slice of pizza made with homemade, hand tossed dough, whole milk mozzarella and baked in fire heated brick ovens, look no further! Surf Rider Pizza Co.has you covered for a very important holiday (in their opinion), offering $2.50 slices on National Pizza Day on Feb. 9!  Celebrate right with an authentic slice from Surf Rider Pizza Co. known for bringing its unique East Coast-style pizza to San Diego.

By Miriam Raftery

February 7, 2019 (Pine Valley) – Robert Verlin Bruno Jr., 48, of Jacumba Hot Springs ,stopped to help when he saw a Ford F-150 pickup truck with a baby as a passenger. The truck had struck a guardrail on Pine Valley Bridge on Interstate 8 before dawn yesterday around 5 a.m.

But then a truck swerved to avoid the crash and collided with a Kia. The two vehicles came careening toward him on the icy freeway. Bruno jumped over a guardrail to avoid being struck, not realizing in the darkness that the spot dropped off into a 300 to 400 foot deep ravine.

February 6, 2019 (Mount Helix) -- Freelanc Photographer and videographer Martin Hoffman snapped these beautiful images of a double rainbow from the backyard of his Mount Helix home, looking southeast.

Rents for low-income seniors to range from about $476 to $978 a month; federal vouchers to cover portion

By Paul Downey, President & CEO, Serving Seniors

February 5, 2019 (Ramona) -- Serving Seniors may be most well-known for its meal program, which provides 2,500 meals a day to seniors across the county. In 2017, the organization served 600,000 meals, which can greatly assist seniors that may be on fixed incomes, yet their housing expenses continue to increase.

In addition to nutritious meals, Serving Seniors helps seniors in poverty live fulfilling and healthy lives by also providing health services and affordable housing. Early this summer, Serving Seniors will open its 62-unit Schmale Family Senior Residence in Ramona. Developed in partnership with Chelsea Investment Corporation, it will be the organization’s Seniors’ first affordable housing complex in east San Diego County.   

East County News Service

February 5, 2019 (Sacramento)  -- State Senator Brian Jones (R-Santee) is the new Senate Republican Caucus Chair, effective March 1st. 

East County News Service

February 4, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges are recognizing Black History month with a series of events including film showings, music, foods, lectures, a book club and more. See below for a full schedule of events at both locations in El Cajon and Rancho San Diego.

Local nonprofit and solar industry experts come together in Ramona to launch a new year of clean energy education

East County News Service

February 4, 2019 (San Diego) -- The third annual San Diego Solar Experience Kickoff returns to sunny San Diego on Saturday, February 9. The event, beginning with a presentation at the Ramona Public Library at 11 a.m., will unite residents with local cleantech businesses and nonprofits to piece together the puzzle of new clean energy policy and share insights into what’s changing in renewable energy in 2019. As policy changes and our communities continue to implement plans that achieve our climate goals, it's both necessary and difficult to remain informed. The San Diego Solar Experience Kickoff event aims to conquer this challenge.

Participants of the San Diego Solar Experience Kickoff event can attend one of the three county-wide seminars in Ramona, Carlsbad and Chula Vista, where they will learn from nationally certified energy practitioners and nonprofit experts on the facts and benefits of gaining energy independence.

East County News Service

February 2, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Nearly every day is a great day to be outdoors when it comes to San Diego County Parks and Recreation. Are you ready for an adventure? We can help with that. Here are some ideas for the month of February at parks in East County.

East County News Service

February 2, 2019 (Poway) -- The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego elected the Rev. Canon Susan Brown Snook as its fifth diocesan bishop today at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Poway. She was elected on the first ballot during an election that involved 212 voting delegates.  She is the first woman to be elected bishop since the diocese was formed in 1973. Others on the ballot were the Rev. Roy Hoffman, DMin and the Rev. Michael Tinnon, DMin, both priests serving in this diocese.

East County News Service

February 1, 2019 (El Cajon) — Robert Gehr sent in this photo of dramatic clouds over El Cajon, glowing golden at sunset after yesterday’s storm.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Stock image of cloud-to-cloud lighting (not today’s jolt)

January 31, 2019 (La Mesa) – A lightning bolt between Lemon Grove and La Mesa this afternoon produced a prolonged thunderclap loud enough to be heard as far away as Fletcher Hills, Lake Murray, Mission Gorge and Rancho San Diego.  The noise startled residents and terrified pets, but fortunately the bolt did not result in any reported damage.

At my Mt. Helix home, the whole house shook as rumbling continued for approximately 30 seconds after the initial roaring jolt.