By Branda Gorgies

Photos: Left: Model at Runway Chardonnay Fashion Show at Trevi Hills Winery; right: Dawn Sebaugh

July 1, 2023 (Spring Valley)—Dawn Sebaugh is a local artist who wears, lives, and loves her art in every way. Sebaugh, creator of “Wear Art, Live Art,” has a unique twist to her art: for every painting, she creates a fabric to match. Her slogan is "Wear art, live art, love art."

July 5, 2023 (La Mesa) -- On Thursday, August 17, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will produce its 8^th Annual “Summer Bash” Business Expo. This special evening will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott  (141 N. Magnolia Ave. El Cajon) from 5-7:30 p.m.

“To encourage you to come out and see us again, tickets are being offered at the low price of $15 apiece and include food from many local restaurants,” says Mary England,  the Chamber’s president. “There will be raffles and business vendors will offer numerous FREE door prizes that evening. You may win free prizes/gifts to use the rest of your summer!”

East County News Service

July 5, 2023 (Spring Valley) – Shortly after 10 p.m. last night, Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call reporting gunshots in the 2700 block of Central Ave. in Spring Valley. Deputies found a man in the middle of the street suffering from several gunshot wounds to his upper torso.

“Deputies and medical personnel provided medical aid, but he succumbed to his injuries. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene,” says Lieutenant Joseph Janjura.

A second male victim arrived at a hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm.  He is expected to survive.

By Miriam Raftery

July 3, 2023 (Santee) – If you’re looking for a cool way to beat the heat, grab your beach towel and head on over to the city of Santee’s Aquatic Center at the Cameron Family YMCA (10123 Riverwalk Drive, Santee).

Their gigantic, twisting three-story water slide reopened today– just in time to make a splash on Independence day and beyond.

The huge, twisting water slide has been closed for three and a half years for repairs.

East County News  Service

July 3, 2023 (Santee) – A man armed with knives, a hatchet and dumbbell weights threatened to harm people including deputies inside the Walmart Store in Santee yesterday, prompting a seven-hour stand-ff with law enforcement.

The 22-year-old man entered the store on Town Center Parkway shortly after noon and climbed atop shelving in the sporting goods department.  “Store employees called the Sheriff's Department after the man armed himself with workout dumbbells and threatened to use them as weapons. The man also told employees he wanted deputies to shoot him,” says Lieutenant Christopher Galve with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

The Walmart store was evacuated and closed down for several hours.The Sheriff's Special Enforcement Detail (SED/SWAT team) and Crisis Negotiations Team were called to assist.

“During negotiations, deputies determined the man was experiencing a mental health crisis,” Lt. Galve says. “The man refused to drop his weapons and refused to come down off the shelving. He told deputies several times to shoot him and walked toward them with the hatchet raised.”

By Miriam Raftery

July 1, 2023 (San Diego) – A man found unresponsive in his cell at San Diego County Central Jail on June 26 died two days later at UCSD Hospital. The Medical Examiner has found the cause of death was suicide by hanging.

Source:  Helix Water District

Photo:  R.M. Levy Water Treatment Plant

June 29, 2023 (San Diego's East County) - Helix Water District’s newly released 2022 Water Quality Report shows that throughout 2022, the district continued to deliver healthy, top-quality drinking water that outperforms federal and state standards.

June 28, 2023 (Lemon Grove)-- Danny Jeitler, a beloved Army veteran hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, passed away on June 1, 2023 in Lemon Grove, leaving behind cherished memories and a deep sense of loss among all who knew him. His life was marked by bravery, dedication, and a passion for his hobbies that brought joy to his heart.

Born in 1949, Danny embarked on a life journey that led him to serve his country with honor as a dedicated member of the United States Army. His military service exemplified his unwavering commitment, bravery, and love for his country.

Reviewed By Jessyka Heredia

June 27, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- Buon appetito! Three brothers– Take a culinary stroll with ECM as we review AnniVenti La Trattoria in Lemon Grove with their fresh Italian dishes created from family recipes and a modern twist inspired by their family business in Palermo Italy.

Story and photos by Shiloh Ireland

June 27, 2023  (Lakeside) – A vacant home went up in flames on Saturday 9727 Petite Lane in Lakeside.

Officials said the home was unoccupied, but being renovated.

Story and Photos By: Josh Stotler

Photo, left:  A San Diego Helitack crew heads into the smoke to clear crush as the Proctor fire burns in the background.

June 24, 2023 (Jamul)-- Crews from CAL FIRE and Inmate fire crews are still on the scene at the #ProctorFire this evening, mopping up and dousing hot spots. All   road closures and evacuation orders have been lifted.

The  brush fire was reported off Proctor Valley Road around 5:23 pm. Units were dispatched to the scene and reported the blaze burning in medium vegetation with a medium rate of spread. Due to vegetation drying out and homes in the area, the fire was upgraded; more air and ground units were called in.

East County News Service

June 24, 2023 (Spring Valley) – California Highway Patrol is searching for the drivers of a red SUV and a silver sedan which each struck a 50-year-old woman in Spring Valley shortly before 10 p.m. on June 22, then fled the scene.

The woman was walking northbound on Jamacha Blvd. east of Lamplighter Village Drive when she was hit by the red  SUV, which was traveling west on Jamacha.  The impact knocked the victim to the ground. While she was lying on the roadway, she was struck a second time by the silver sedan.

The woman sustained major injuries and died at the scene.

“Both vehicles were last seen fleeing the scene, westbound on Jamacha Blvd.,” says Officer Matthew Baranowski with the California Highway Patrol. 

East County News Service

Photos by Shiloh Ireland

Photo, left:  Burned vehicle after it was removed from the ravine

June 23, 2023 (Lakeside) – A car plummeted off State Route 67 into a ravine, igniting dry brush, sparking the #Foster Fire this afternoon.

The blaze began at State Route 67 near Foster Trail and Slaughterhouse Canyon in Lakeside, according to Cal Fire.

ECM reporter Shiloh Ireland says the driver, conscious but injured, has been transported to a hospital.

By Miriam Raftery

June 23, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – Michael Perez, an attorney who runs the nonprofit Imago Dei (operating as 29: Eleven), with his wife, a dream to restore two historic buildings in Lemon Grove. They wanted to open up a home for women who are struggling, including pregnant women in need of shelter and mothers with babies. Since buying the property in 2008, however, Perez told ECM, “We’ve been in a constant struggle with the city of Lemon Grove over building permits.”  

He described a nightmare of obstacles in the permitting process, as well as frustrations with the Sheriff’s department for not being responsive to his pleas for help to keep out homeless people who repeatedly broke down barriers to camp out inside.

Then last week, a fire destroyed one of the two buildings, a house originally built in the 1930s by Dr. Ebon McGregor. The other building, which once served as Dr. McGregor’s was spared. The site is on Main Street, next to city hall in the heart of Lemon Grove.

“My wife and I both cried when we heard about it,” Perez told ECM. “We’re going to trust  God,” he said, adding that he still hopes to  find a way to bring the nonprofit’s services to the site. “I think it’s needed.”