Source: County News Service

March 27, 2015 (San Diego)--Looking to get away from the stress of everyday life? Or perhaps you have a new personal fitness goal for 2015? Maybe you just enjoy nature or have an adventurous spirit and want to get out and explore your surroundings. Spring is here- and it’s a great time to put down the electronic devices and participate in a sport you can do at your own pace.

No matter your motivation, the San Diego County Parks and Recreation Department has more than 300 miles of trails throughout the County.  The County has picked out ten trails for you to check out in 2015 with a wide variety of lengths, skill levels and sights.

April 11 in La Mesa

March 27, 2015 (La Mesa) - Noted author, five-time Emmy nominee and co-executive producer and head writer of the award-winning science fiction series, Quantum Leap, Deborah Pratt, will lead an array of local literary talent at an event titled Romancing San Diego 2.0. With her latest book, The Tempting: Seducing the Nephilim, this promises to be an entertaining and informative session. This accomplished actress will be the featured celebrity guest at the Grossmont Center in La Mesa., which will feature an author panel and book signing.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - The warm is warming up, and snakes are coming out of hibernation.

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2015 (Alpine) – Homicide detectives are investigating the discovery of human remains in Alpine, the Sheriff’s department reports. According to Lieutenant John Maryon, it appears the remains have been there for quite some time.

By Miriam Raftery

March 26, 2015 (El Cajon) – At the El Cajon City Council meeting on Tuesday, several members of the public spoke out to ask that Officer Richard Gonsalves be fired or put on administrative leave pending outcome of a lawsuit by a woman claiming sexual harassment.  Gonsalves has been demoted, but remains on the force.

Ambulance responses in our region raise alarms:  Part II in a series

By Miriam Raftery

March 23, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—Earlier we reported on a new contract for ambulance service that the County has signed, effective April 1st.  That contract required only four ambulances for an entire district stretching from the border north to Mount Laguna, and from Jamul east to the Imperial County line.

Ambulance responses in our region raise alarms:  Part I in a series

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – What if you had a medical emergency and the nearest ambulance had to come from Imperial County or other distant places up to an hour away?  That’s the very real prospect facing rural East County residents under a stealth change in ambulance service approved by a county bureaucrat with no public notice, no hearing, and no vote by the Supervisors.

While some aspects of coverage stand to improve under the contract, adding more in-district ambulances and newer equipment, there are some major concerns raised by local safety advocates with regard to mutual aid and staffing.

By Miriam Raftery

March 20, 2015 (Alpine) – Lou Russo, an outspoken former member of the Alpine Community Planning Group, may soon be back on the board, the Registrar of Voters office has confirmed.

James Roe defeated Russo on the November ballot, but moved out of the area for a job prior to the election and is thus ineligible to take the seat.

By Miriam Raftery

March 19, 2015 (Alpine) – Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Gunther has ruled in favor of the San Diego Unified School District in a lawsuit filed against the Alpine Union School District over the Endeavor Academy (also known as the Albert Einstein Academy for Letters, Arts and Sciences, Inc.). View the judge’s order here.

March 14, 2015 (Alpine)--A horse hit by a vehicle is back with his owner after being rescued by County Animal Services early Wednesday morning.

March 13, 2015 (La Mesa)--Fun with Physics is Saturday April 18, from 9:00 am – 12 noon at the La Mesa Boys and Girls Teen Club at Highwood Park, 7775 Junior High Drive, La Mesa, 91941.  Fun with Physics introduces all ages and the family to fun hands-on science experiments.  Experiments include: Bubbles, Sink or Float, Oobleck, Dry Ice Experiments, Barges and more. The city of La Mesa invites you to come join the fun.

By Miriam Raftery

March 9, 2015 (Lakeside)—If you’re looking for a romantic special setting, East County has beautiful venues where you don’t have to worry about coastal fog or crowds.  One of our favorites is Hazy Meadow Ranch, nestled at the base of El Capitan Mountain in Lakeside’s scenic El Monte Valley. 

This idyllic wedding venue comes complete with a white horse-drawn carriage ride, gazebo, lawn with expansive shade trees and flowering gardens, outdoor dance floor, plus options for Western or Spanish themed weddings including an entire Western town settingg – to name just a few of the unique amenities here.

March 11, 2015 (Santee) - The Santee Chamber of Commerce invites you to join over 30,000 visitors at the Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Festival highlights include: a craft beer festival, live music and entertainment, a crafter row and artist alley, over 300 food and vendor booths, carnival rides and games for the family. In celebration of Memorial Day weekend, there will also be a tribute to our veterans. This free event will be held at Riverview Parkway and Town Center Parkway in Santee.

Photo: "Hummingbird Moth (9691010084)" by Larry Lamsa - Hummingbird MothUploaded by PDTillman. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons -

March 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Anza Borrego’s desert wildflowers are both beautiful and fragile.

By Randy Zuniga

March 8, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Garnet Peak is a fun and easy hike with spectacular views. The amazing part about this hike is the amount of payoff for how short the hike really is. An “out and back” that is 4.4 miles long (roundtrip) with most of it along the beautiful Pacific Crest Trail. In this compact hike one experiences a picturesque summit overlooking the Anza Borrego desert, Imperial Valley, and on clear days even the Salton Sea.