By Miriam Raftery

August 16, 2018 (Lakeside) – The body of 12-year-old Lia Rose Barakett was recovered yesterday from the San Vicente Reservoir in Lakeside, where she fell overboard from a boat during an outing with family and friends. Barakett, a Canadian resident, was visiting the area when the tragedy occurred.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

August 16, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- “Listen for sprinklers, they sound like sprinklers,” says Tom Minga, a rattlesnake specialist.

Minga, a Flinn Springs resident, who owns Snake Solutions Removal & Relocation, recommends listening for rattlers when you are out in nature or even in your house.   

Celebrating the future of East County’s water with a FREE, fun event

Source:  Padre Dam Municipal Water District

August 15, 2018 (Santee) - Celebrate water at the East County Water Festival on Saturday, September 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East County Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Project Visitor Center in Santee.

By Ken Stone

Originally published by Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo by Ken Stone

August 14, 2018 (la Mesa) - A year ago this week, 25-year-old Rebekah Basson attended her first meeting as a newly appointed school board member in East County — based in part on her pledge to run for a full term in November 2018.

East County News Service

August 13, 2018 (Borrego Springs) – Entries are being accepted now through December 1^st in the annual Anza Borrego Desert photography contest. The contest’s theme is the unique and natural beauty of the Anza Borrego Desert State Park and all photos must be taken within the state park boundaries.

 
By Miriam Raftery

August 11, 2018 (Boulevard) -- Terra-Gen's proposed Torrey Wind project (with up to 30 giant turbines each up to 586 tall and 4.2 megawatts) in Boulevard is moving through the planning process quickly. Boulevard Planning Group Chair Donna Tisdale is asking all who have concerns or information to share on impacts of wind turbines to come to a public scoping meeting  August 23 at 6 p.m. in the new Cal-Fire/County Fire Station at 40080 Ribbonwood Road, Boulevard.

“These turbines could be twice as powerful and about 100 feet taller than the Tule Wind turbines installed on public recreation land next door,” says Tisdale. “Bigger turbines can churn out much more noise and low frequency vibrations and potential electrical pollution over greater distances that can trigger psychical and emotional stress and the body's fight or flight instinct in people and animals. Turbines have reportedly been deemed nuisances in some legal and administrative proceedings around the world, with some families abandoning their homes and other homes bought out by developers over noise impacts and related litigation.”

By Miriam Raftery

August 10, 2018 (Lakeside) – Weasels haven’t been seen for five years at Lakeside’s Lindo Lake County Park. But this morning, photographer Billy Ortiz videotaped a welcome sight:  a weasel has returned.

“This weasel brings me more joy than any other animal, just cracks me up watching its antics,” he wrote on Facebook. 

Update 7:30 p.m: The Rangeland Fire is 250 acres and 60%  contained. A firefighter has suffered minor injuries. Units will remain on scene through tomorrow. SDG&E's air crane has been assisting in battling the blaze (photo).

August 9, 2018 (Ramona)-- The Rangeland Fire in Ramona has burned approxiamtely 150 acres near highway 78 and Rangeland Road. The blaze, which began mid-afternoon with structures threatened.

The fire is 30 percent contained and forward spead has been halted, Cal Fire reports.

East County News Service

August 8, 2018 (Boulevard) – Boulevard residents are invited to the Backcountry Resource Center (the old Boulevard Fire Station) on August 20^th at 7 p.m. to give your input on the new Backcountry Resource Center.  Come share your ideas on what you’d like to see, how you’d like to participate, and your dreams for the community.

See flyer for details.

East County News Service

August 8, 2018 (El Cajon) — A witness helped save an El Cajon Police officer today after a man attacked the officer with a hammer.

Police had been called to a Jack-in-the-Box regarding Robert Dille, 30, who was reportedly smashing windows and threatening people with a hammer. Officers found Dille a few blocks away at West Main Street and Van Houten around 11:20 a.m.

By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- NBA superstar, Hall of Famer, sportscaster and hometown hero Bill Walton has announced he will be at East County Magazine’s 10-year-anniversary party, “East County Fest” on August 25^th at Mission Trails Regional Park visitor center.

Walton was named to the NBA list of 50 best players of all time in 1997 among many other top honors -- and he started his winning sports right here in East County, leading Helix High School in La Mesa to CIF championships before going on to a legendary career in college and professional sports.

He has also generously agreed to donate autographed sports memorabilia from his personal collection for our fundraising auction. The value of these one-of-a-kind items? Priceless!

East County News Service

August 6, 2018 (Alpine) – The Alpine Historical Society and Alpine Woman’s Club invite you to a potluck luncheon on Sunday, August 19 at 2156 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. The lunch and general meeting starts at 1 p.m. with program at 2 p.m. featuring anthropologist/author Michael Wilken-Robertson, who will speak on the interdependence between native peoples and native plants in Southern California and Baja.

See attached flyer for information on reservations and details.

By Briana Gomez

August 5, 2018 (Alpine) - Moka, a Bengal-hybrid tiger club rescued from smugglers attempting to cross the border from Mexico into the United States, was released into the Tiger Trails exercise area with his new companion, Nola, last week at Alpine’s hidden gem, the Lions, Tigers, and Bears sanctuary. Nola, a young white tiger, was recently rescued in New Orleans.

East County News Service

August 5, 2018 (Lakeside) – A 56-year-old woman from Lakeside was struck and killed last night by a Dodge Ram drive by a 20-year-old Alpine man.

According to Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol, the woman was walking on Woodside Avenue near Shamrock Lane when she crossed into the path of the SUV.  Lakeside Fire Department and the CHP responded, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

By Miriam Raftery

August 4, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) – An unidentified man riding a Masi Gran Corsa road bike on Avocado Blvd. southbound near Nabal Drive was struck by a Toyota Camry at 8:08 a.m. today, suffering fatal injuries.

According to Officer Travis Garrow with the California Highway Patrol, the cyclist was in the southbound bike lane and turned left into the path of the car, driven by a 63-yar old woman.  The male cyclist was struck and ejected onto the roadway.