By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2017 (Alpine) – The largest outdoor ice rink in Southern California is now open for the season  (through January 28) at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine, transforming the grounds into a winter wonderland.  On Saturday, November 11, the rink will feature a Holiday on Ice  show and lighting of a large holiday see.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

November 7, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – A man suspected of savagely stabbing a female delivery driver, 35, this morning at a convenience store in La Mesa has been taken into custody.  Sheriff’s deputies are investigating whether he may be linked to another woman found stabbed this morning in El Cajon.

The chilling sequence of events began shortly after 3 a.m. when a Frito Lay delivery truck driver was stabbed repeatedly outside of the 7-Eleven store on Avocado Boulevard in unincorporated La Mesa.  She staggered into the store, where she collapsed after telling a clerk she’d been attacked, 10 News reports.

By J.A. Ellis, Lemon Grove

November 6, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- I have lived in Lemon Grove since 2005. I appreciate the small town feel of the folks who live here.

We have seen a controversy recently, as medical marijuana retailers have attempted to locate their businesses in Lemon Grove wherever they desire – whether that be near a daycare facility or a school or the like.

East County News Service

November 5, 2017 (Julian) -- Christmas comes to Julian every year in an old-fashioned way with a Country Christmas Tree Lighting celebration on Saturday, November 25^th to start the holiday season.  Festivities start at 2 p.m. and continue until 7 p.m. including lighting of a giant Christmas tree in Pioneer Park, just one block from Julian’s historic town hall.

By Vinny Lavalsiti

November 6, 2017 (El Cajon) - After an embarrassment from Saddleback College, the Grossmont Griffins recuperated and gave their fans and program something to smile about when judging their performance from this year.

By Miriam Raftery

November 4, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – A ballot initiative effort in Lemon Grove to loosen regulation of where medical marijuana dispensaries can be located has gone up in smoke, for now.

Judge Kenneth Medel upheld a city clerk’s decision to refuse to accept signatures submitted for a special election on the measure, because voters were provided petitions with incomplete language on the proposed measure. Backers have until January 2018 to gather signatures from 15 percent of the city’s registered voters to qualify for the ballot.

By John Birds

November 3, 2017 (El Cajon) -- I am speaking on behalf of thousands of Chaldean's in and around the San Diego community that all agree that Ben Kalasho DOES NOT and SHOULD NOT be allowed, by any media outlet, to speak on behalf of the Chaldean community. We do not like the type of person, who he is or the values that he holds.

East County News Service

November 3, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Iron Oak Canyon Ranch is the new owner of Bright Valley Farms, an old, established East County business which, for over sixty years, provided many San Diegans with their first horseback riding experience.  In August, its horse boarding/training operation was bought by Lessa and Scott Ritzma and re-named Iron Oak Canyon Ranch.

Local shipping business pledges 50 percent of Nov. 4 grand reopening proceeds to Santana High School Band and Color Guard

East County News Service

November 3, 2017 (Ramona) — November is National Zinfandel Month. Vineyard Grant James in Ramona invites you to celebrate these special red wines on November 18 and 19.  Winemaker Susanne Sapier will be giving Zinfandel talks at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

November 1, 2017 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Councilman Bessmon "Ben" Kalasho has escalated his war on media outlets that have published factual investigative reports on his business, political, legal and ethical controversies.

After first threatening litigation against the San Diego Union-Tribune and ridiculing its reporters, Kalasho has now threatened to sue East County Magazine (ECM), though he has not disputed the accuracy of any specific points in our reports. He has also made provably false, defamatory and malicious statements about our media outlet and reporters, as we have documented clearly in this article.. 

Ironically, amid his baseless efforts to smear our reputable nonprofit, his own nonprofit beauty pageant has had its nonprofit status revoked by the State of California following ECM's inquiries to state regulators, the Attorney General confirmed to ECM.

By Miriam Raftery  

November 1, 2017 (Santee) – Grady Neel has been arrested for reportedly shooting a man in the upper torso Monday night near 9872 Shirley Gardens Drive in Santee.  

Sheriff’s deputies found the suspect walking in the complex. He was unarmed and taken into custody without incident.  The gun used in the shooting was later found by deputies in Neel’s residence, says Lieutenant Anthony O’Boyle.  

By Miriam Raftery

November 1, 2017 (El Cajon) – El Cajon resident Darius Demon Lake, 27, is under arrest for suspicion of committing eight bank robberies in San Diego County and one in Temecula, Walt Miller with the El Cajon Police Department reports.  A second suspect, Brian Lee Barkley, also of El Cajon, was arrested for participating in one of three El Cajon bank heists.  “During that robbery, physical evidence was left by both suspects linking them to the robberies,” Miller says.

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

By Jack Riordan

Photo, left: The Desert View Trail at the Burnt Rancheria Campground is a very easy and dog-friendly one mile scenic loop through the campground to a rewarding view of the desert floor below.  Photo by Jack Riordan.

November 1, 2017 (Mount Laguna) -- Nestled in the pines, beneath a blanket of starlight, you’ll find Burnt Rancheria.  As part of the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area in the Cleveland National Forest, this lush east county campground sits at 6000 feet above sea level, offering dream-like mountain scenery, as well as an easy escape from the day to day life in the city.

East County News Service

October 31, 2017 (Boulevard) – The November 2^nd meeting of the Boulevard Planning Group wil include action items on Invenergy’s proposed 600 megawatt Boulevard Solar Energy Storage projects as well as Clean Focus’s 80 megawatt Rugged Solar project.  Items related to Tule Wind and the County’s Climate Action Plan are also on the agenda.