Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District          

October 5, 2015 (El Cajon)--Omali Yeshitela, founder of the African People’s Socialist Party and the African Socialist International, is the featured speaker at Cuyamaca College’s Diversity Dialogues workshop, “Day in Solidarity with African People: Reparations for Stolen Black Lives,” set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the Performing Arts Center. The workshop is free and open to the public.

East County News Service

October 4, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—Caltrans is weighing whether or not to grant state scenic highway designation of State Route 52 from Mast Boulevard in Santee to Santo Road in San Diego, where the highway passes through Mission Trails Regional Park.  Preserve Wild Santee began seeking the designation in 2012 and the San Diego City Council passed a unanimous resolution in support in 2013, yet Caltrans has not yet taken action.

Save Mission Trails and Preserve Wild Santee are both asking the public to send letters urging support of the scenic highway designation to preserve the natural beauty of this area from projects such a power plant proposal recently withdrawn by the developer.  Save Mission Trails has provided a sample letter that you can sign and send to those listed below.

Note to our readers: Please send us your best photos taken alone highway 52 between Mast and Santos Road! We will publish the most scenic and beauitful photos.

Update Oct. 6, 2015 - La Mesa Police report that this missing juvenile has been found with friends in Imperial Beach and has been returned to her family.

Update Oct. 4, 2015 1 p.m. - Olivia's mother confirms that a friend received an Instragram message that appears to be from Olivia.  The message indicates she is safe but does not want to come home.  It is not certain whether the message was sent by Olivia or possibly by someone with access to her account.

East County News Service

October 4, 2015 (La Mesa) – Public help is sought to locate Olivia Miller, 14, A Guatay resident who vanished Friday night in La Mesa. She was last seen at 7 p.m. at the Journey Community Church at 8363 Center Drive.

According to La Mesa Police dispatch, Olivia is 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighs 110 pounds, has black hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a white baseball cap, black shirt and black pants. She may also have been wearing a white cardigan and carrying a brown backpack, her mother has advised East County Magazine.

Olivia’s mother, Sherrie Jockell, says Olivia had a picnic dinner with family at the church before services.  An assistant teacher in a class at church, Olivia never made it to class after dinner.  Family realized she was missing after the service, when she did not return to their car.  Olivia made no mention of going anywhere after church to her friends or family.

East County News Service

October 3, 2015 (El Cajon) – Neighbors helped an elderly man out of his home after a garage caught fire in the 2300 block of Charles Way before firefighters arrived Friday afternoon.

Heartland Fire and Rescue crews from El Cajon and La Mesa, assisted by the Santee and San Diego Fire Departments, were dispatched to the blaze. The first engine company arrived within four minutes to find a two-story detached garage with heavy fire and smoke.

By Liz Alper

October 2, 2015 (LA MESA) - After a three-car collision Wednesday afternoon on the I-8 westbound, two drivers were hospitalized, one of them with severe injuries, KUSI reports.

Update: The County site now says this item will not be on the agenday Oct. 14.  Check the County Supervisors' agenda for updates.

October 1, 2015 (San Diego)—San Diego Supervisors will hold a hearing on Soitec Solar’s final remaining project in Boulevard on October 14^th.  Supervisors will consider a Revised Final Program Environmental Impact Report for the project that can be viewed here: http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/ceqa/Soitec-Solar-RFPEIR.html.   The hearing documents will be posted at http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa.html in advance of the hearing.

East County News Service

October 2, 2015 (Flinn Springs) – If you’re looking for the pick of the patch to carve your Jack-o-lantern, Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs has a pumpkin patch that’s now open Wednesdays through Sundays, with kid-friendly activities on weekends.

Stop by on Saturdays or Sundays to also enjoy an inflatable jump, popcorn, corndogs, coffee drinks and smoothies, as well as browsing through a gift shop while enjoying a day in the country.

By Kristin Kjaero

October 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – Fall is in the air. Residents have a wealth of options this month with two large festivals, the annual Oktoberfest in the Village, and a new FalFest at Grossmont Center, as well as the annual Intergenerational Games. Local churches are offering a Blessing of Animals and a Fair Trade Gift Fair to sooth the soul, and entertainment opportunities include Halloween activities at Grossmont Center, a school vacation art camp at Mt. Helix, a new mystery at Lamplighters Community, and many clubs at the La Mesa Library. Let’s not overlook the opportunity to give back to our wonderful hometown at the annual Park Appreciation Day and the Human Advisory Commission’s Food Drive!

East County News Service

September 29, 2015 (Santee)—Santana High School Principal Tim Schwuchow has notified parents in a letter about two incidents last week in which female students were reportedly followed by a white Chevrolet pickup truck.

September 30, 2015 (Alpine)—The Alpine VFW Bert Fuller Post 9578 will host a “Fall Deep Pit BBQ” on October 10 starting at 2 p.m. This event is open to the public and proceeds benefit veterans organizations.

September 29, 2015 (Alpine)—Alpine Country Gifts & Crafts is hosting its 22^nd annual “Something to Crow About”  Craft and Harvest Festival from Thursday October 8 through Saturday October 10. The event will be held at Alpine Woman’s Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd., Alpine, and features crafts and homemade items, including “Owl Nesting Boxes.”

Two meetings set on rate hikes Sept. 30 and Oct. 7

East County News Service

September 29, 2015 (La Mesa) — Helix Water District’s Board has voted unanimously to rescind a 10 percent penalty assessed on its highest tier water users. The change comes after customers cut water use 28 percent, enabling the district to meet the 20 percent cuts mandated by the state. Board member Kathleen Hedberg asked for those penalized to receive rebates, but instead the funds will be used for water conservation outreach, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

But the district is moving forward on hefty water rate hikes for water users. The Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association (GMIA) opposes what it describes as a 70% rate hike over five years. The GMIA invites the public to a community forum on the rate hike on Wednesday, September 30^th at 7 p.m. at Murdock Elementary School (4354 Conrad Drive in La Mesa).

The GMIA has crafted a sample letter for those opposed to submit public comment: http://www.gmia.net/docs/SampleLetterToTheHelixWaterDistrict.pdf

East County News Service

California Sen. Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) will listen to constituents and invite ideas on how to improve state government at a “Community Coffee” starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Chapel at Grossmont, 5651 Water St., La Mesa. The free event, open to the public, will be hosted by La Mesa City Council members Guy McWhirter and Bill Baber.

By Robert Gehr © 2015

September 28, 2015 (El Cajon)--You’re invited to reserve Friday night, Oct. 23 from 5 to 10 p.m. to attend the 4^th annual HauntFest on Main event that has become very popular with folks in East County celebrating Halloween.

This is a fun-filled family affair with plenty to do including a pumpkin patch for ‘picking’ that perfect orange decoration, two candy trails this year, an expanded carnival ride area, an LED rock climbing wall, face painting, food and drink, the famous TNT dancers, a KIDZ zone, outdoor movies on a 26- foot screen, arts and crafts booths, game booths, costume contests, live music on 2 stages, inflatables and more.