July 10, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – Walt Meyer snapped these idyllic images at Cedar Creek Falls, perhaps the most beautiful place in San Diego’s East County.  The towering waterfall is situated in Cleveland National Forest near Julian.

“The water was pretty and cold, but refreshing after the hike,” Meyer says. “The falls were beautiful.”

A permit is required from the U.S. Forest Service for this very strenuous hike, where many have suffered heat exhaustion or injuries, requiring rescues, and several have perished.

Hiking on a clear day in winter, or when temperatures are cooler, is recommended--and be sure to carry plenty of water for the steep, mostly shadeless climb out of  this Eden-like oasis.

Story and Photos by Josh Stotler

July 9, 2023 (Potrero) -- At 2:49 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to 25850 Potrero Park Dr. for reports of a vegetation fire. Arriving units radioed that the fire was 3-5 acres in heavy fuel with a potential to spread to 50-100 acres. 

Additional resources were requested, bringing in more air support and ground crews to the scene. Structures were threatened and evacuation warnings were issued for grids 0852 and 0853, the Potrero valley.  Due to the unpredictable nature of the fire, the warnings were quickly upgraded to evacuation orders for those two grids.

By Miriam Raftery; Henri Migala contributed to this report

Photos by Henri Migala

July 9, 2023 (Rancho San Diego) -- A blue vehicle crashed into a power pole on  Steele Canyon Rd. near State Route 94 this morning. The power pole fell across the roadway and the vehicle caught fire, causing closure of Steele Canyon Rd. in both directions.

The crash caused a power outage affecting portions of Spring Valley,  Rancho San Diego and La Presa.

East County News Service

Photo and video by Robert Gehr

July 8, 2023 (El Cajon) – A two-vehicle crash knocked over a fire hydrant at the corner of Van Houton and Douglas in El Cajon this morning, spewing water across the roadways.  The vehicles involved were a white pickup truck and a dark Nissan car, according to ECM photographer Robert Gehr.

East County News Service

Update July 10, 2023: The Medical Examiner has identified the deceased as Gary Zing, 59.

July 5, 2023 (El Cajon) – Heartland Fire & Rescue responded to a 9-1-1 call at 11:10 a.m. requesting help for a man who fell while cutting down a large tree at his property at 1962 Altozano Way in El Cajon.  Fire crews found that the tree had fallen onto the victim.

“Paramedics attempted to render aid but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene,” says Andy McKellar, emergency preparedness coordinator at Heartland Fire & Rescue.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo; Left, Cottonwood Golf Course pond, before it was drained; right, a sand mining operation

July 5, 2023 (Rancho San Diego) – The County of San Diego has issued a revised draft environmental impact report (EIR) on the proposed Cottonwood sand mine. View documents and details. 

The public has until August 14 at 4 p..m. to submit comments on the revised EIR.

Comments can be sent via email to Christopher.Jacobs@sdcounty.ca.gov.  The County will also hold an in-person public meeting regarding the Recirculated Draft EIR on July 25, 2023, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Hillsdale Middle School (1301 Brabham Street, El Cajon).

July 5, 2023  (Lakeside) – Shiloh Ireland sent in these photos of spectators and participants celebrating our nation’s birthday at the Lakeside Patriotic 4^th of July Parade yesterday.

East County News Service

July 4, 2023 (La Mesa) – The Lake Murray Fireworks and Music Festival returns for a day of live music, food, fun and fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.

Enjoy music by bands including Republic of Music, Whiskey State of Mind, Big Time Operator, The Jackals, plus a day-long scavenger hunt and other children’s activities from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9 p.m.

By Jacob Pamus 

Photo: Finance Director Tammi Royales gives presentation on proposed budget

July 3,2023 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council voted  unanimously on June 27 to approve a tentative biennial budget of $130,246,110 in fiscal year 2023-24 and $133,151,664 in fiscal year 2024-25. The Council is expected to vote on a final budget in August 2023. 

Cannabis tax revenues are projected to rise sharply as new dispensaries open, with other revenue sources such as property tax and leasings also on the upswing.

General expenditures will be boosted by 6%to cover rising utility costs, as well as studies on police staffing issues and a new citywide strategic plan are among the reasons for the increase. 

This new budget is being made with open gov online, an online system that connects live financials with the budget, available in 135 languages, and is fully interactive and accessible for residents and students.

East County News Service

July 1, 2023 (Pine Valley) —The beautiful mountain town of Pine Valley celebrates Pine Valley Days July 28^th and 29th. It includes a Friday night barbecue, a parade on Saturday and famliy-fun festivities afterwards in the park until after dark.

 East County News Service

June 28, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – The Santee Fire Department and Lakeside Fire Protection District (FPD) assumed local control of ambulance services in their communities through formation of the Santee-Lakeside Emergency Medical Authority (SLEMSA) back on January 1.  As a result, on May 12, an additional ambulance was placed in service in Lakeside. This 12-hour Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance operates daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to assist with peak call volumes. Starting June 30, a  A second 12-hour BLS ambulance will go into service in Santee.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Parole officers visit a residence, by Scorpion, Creative Commons 4.0 license

Updated June 28, 2023 with statement from Mary Xjimenez from the Calif. Dept. of  Corrections and Rehabilitation.

June 27, 2023 (La Mesa) – Should a parole office be allowed in  La Mesa,  just a few hundred feet from elementary schools and a preschool, around the corner from breweries and cannabis dispensaries, also near a senior daycare center and other sensitive uses?

That’s exactly what the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is considering, according to a letter sent to the city dated April 25.

Kristina Khokhobashvili  with the CDCR told ECM that the site, if approved, would serve not only parolees from East County and Chula Vista, but also the parolees who have tracking devices –which includes sexual predators and potentially violent offenders.

Thus far, she said, the state has not signed a lease for the site at 8374-8376 Hercules Street, across the street from  Carl Burger Dodge and Journey Church, which plans to open an elementary school on its property next year. According to Khokhobashvili, the state is still researching locations.

Source: City of Santee

June 25, 2023 (Santee)-- The City of Santee has a new Community Center on the horizon. After several years and multiple community workshops, City Council meetings, and COVID delays; Santee’s future community center is starting to come to life.The architectural and environmental work is nearing completion for the new building, with construction anticipated to begin in 2025.

Story and photos by Christianne McCormick

Photo, left: Director of Finance Clay Schoen presents budget breakdown

June 25, 2023 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon’s City Council on June 13 received a presentation on the Preliminary Annual Budget for fiscal year of 2023-2024.  Council also moved forward on a ban on homeless camping on public property that would be similar to the City of San Diego’s new ordinance.