April 9, 2015 (Lakeside) – A two-hour guided hike at the Lakeside River Park will be held on Saturday, April 11 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. to learn about birds of the San Diego River. Gail Sabbadini will lead the hike, identifying both year-round and migratory species.

Story and photos by Robert Gehr © 2015

April 10, 2015 (El Cajon)--Baby Mallard ducks  are swimming and exploring their new world, under the ever-watchful eyes of the adults, at the waterscape in downtown El Cajon at Main Street and Sulzfeld Way.

Photo courtesy of Heartland Fire & Rescue

April 8, 2015 (Santee) - A fire that began at a towing yard on Pioneer Way in Santee Monday evening spread to a nearby deli, NBC news reports.  The two-alarm blaze destroyed a motorhome and several other vehicles.

By Miriam Raftery

April 10, 2015 (El Cajon )—At Tuesday's El Cajon City Council meeting, the City Council will discuss a proposal for a ballot initiative to crack down on alcohol sales to minors and chronic drunks, as well as potentially ban sales of powdered alcohol.

“My goal is to make this the strongest law in the United States to stop sales of alcohol to children and serial inebriates,” Vice Mayor Pro Tem Gary Kendrick told East County Magazine.

April 10, 2015 (Alpine) – The 25^th annual Vintage Alpine on Sunday May 3^rd from 1 to 4 p.m. at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs will feature tastings of 40 wines plus foods from fine restaurants across our region.  This event attracts over 500 people annually, with all proceeds used to benefit services and programs for the children of San Diego.

By Paul Kruze

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Performers on stage at ECPAC in brighter days

April 10, 2015 (El Cajon)--It has been said that “the opera ain’t over until the fat lady sings.” If all goes as planned, the fat lady could be soon be setting a date to sing on the stage at the shuttered and embattled East County Performing Art Center (ECPAC) sooner than later.

In a move that pleased local community activists who have decried the prolonged shutdown of downtown El Cajon’s entertainment venue, the City of El Cajon released an extensive request for bids to fix the theater’s leaky roof and bring about extensive technical upgrades throughout the facility.

By Kristin Kjaero

April 9, 2015 (La Mesa) – There’s something for everybody going on this month in La Mesa. There are activities for every age and interest, as well as for mind, body and entertainment.

April 9, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—A search is under way for Isac Molina, 27, an El Cajon resident, paramedic and father of two.  Family reported Monday that Molina left home Sunday at 3 p.m. “on his own volition appearing very despondent,” said Lt. Frank La Haye with the El Cajon Police. He is considered a missing person at risk.

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

By Miriam Raftery

April 6, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—San Diego County’s contract with its new ambulance provider for East County, Mercy,  requires that response times be less than 30 minutes 90% of the time in rural areas and 10 minutes in urban areas.  That’s too long if you’ve had a heart attack or other major trauma. 

When we inquired about response times, County staff advised us that in 2014, the County Fire Authority (ie Cal Fire) had a better response time than the requirement, averaging just over 10 minutes, while the former ambulance provider, AMR, average about 14 minutes. (Read more)

Source: City of La Mesa

April 9, 2015 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa, was named a 2014 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.  La Mesa is the city that holds the highest number of years as Tree City USA in the County of San Diego!  This is the 35th year La Mesa has earned the national designation.

East County News Service

April 8, 2015 (La Mesa) -- A La Mesa resident will stand trial on hate crimes, illegal weapon possession and making criminal threats against the Council on American-Islamic Relations in San Diego.

East County News Service

April 7, 2015 (Santee) -- The Sheriff's Department wants your help in identifying and locating a woman who robbed a pharmacy at gunpoint in Santee.

The woman entered a CVS store in the 9700 block of Mission Gorge Road around 4:30 a.m. Witnesses say the suspect pulled out a pistol and demanded percocet, a drug, and threatened to shoot the clerk if the demands were not met. Once the woman was given the percocet, she walked out of the store. No one was hurt.

By Miriam Raftery

April 5, 2015 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove residents looking for activities can find a variety of options at the Lemon Grove Library (3001 School Lane).  Want to shape up with a yoga class? Get help studying for your DMV test?  Savor a concert by Coco & Lafe, see an art exhibit and meet a local poet?  Learn about gardening, or delve into genealogy?

Update April 8, 2015: The victim has been identified as Carly Ramirez, 3, daughter of Carlos Ramirez and Brandy Teague.

April 5, 2015 (El Cajon)—  Brandy Teague, a 31-year-old mother, is under arrest after a crash killed her 3-year-old daughter and injured two other children of hers in the vehicle.

The accident was reported at 9:43 p.m. Saturday night on Broadway in El Cajon. According to witnesses, the silver Hyundai driven by Teague was traveling east when it left the roadway and collided with a telephone pole. 

“The driver may have fallen asleep behind the wheel before the collision occurred,” said Lieutenant R. Soulard. Teague is charged with gross vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a controlled substance and driving on a suspended license.