East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Update 8:45 p.m.:   Heartland Fire and Rescue indicates the fire started in palm trees at the Lemon Grove Trolley station and spread along trolley tracks, briefly threatening about 20 homes.  The fire damaged power lines and railroad ties for the trolley, so the trolley remains shut down. There was also minor damage to eaves of some homes and a fence. Cause of the fire is under investigation by the Sheriff's Bomb and Arson squad.

Heartland Fire & Rescue units from Lemon Grove and La Mesa responded, with assistance from San Diego Fire, San Miguel Fire, and Cal Fire/SDSO to swiftly stop the blaze.

May 27, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- A brush fire in Lemon Grove has charred about two acres, but Heartland firefighters have halted the forward spread.

The fire was reported in palm trees shortly after 5 p.m. in the 1500 block of San Altos Place. It jumped Imperial Avenue and according to CBS 8, briefly threatened structures on Angelus Avenue.

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

By Bobbi Zane

Photos courtesy of La Casa del Zorro and Miriam Raftery

May 27, 2018 (Borrego Springs) -- Luxury starts the minute you step into the lobby of La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort and Spa, where you’ll hear a cheerful “May I help you?” to begin your stay at this sumptuous resort, located in the heart of the beautiful and historic Anza Borrego Desert in San Diego County.

By Miriam Raftery

 May 27, 2018 (Lakeside) – The Sheriff seeks public help to locate Robert Tate Allen, 45.  He is wanted for stabbing another man last night around 10:10 p.m. during an argument in the 9600 block of Winter Gardens Blvd. in Lakeside.

 According to Sergeant John Delocht, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim’s arm, severing an artery. The victim stumbled into a neighbor’s residence for help. Deputies quickly arrived and applied life-saving measures. The victim was taken to a hospital where he is in serious but stable condition.

 Allen is a bald-headed white man around 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds. He drives a black four-door sedan and is known to frequent East County. He is considered armed and dangerous.

By Kathy Carpenter

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

By Francine Phillips

 May 25, 2018 (Valley Center) -- Tucked among ranch lands of Valley Center in northeast San Diego County is a space of peace and tranquility that offers the perfect getaway for San Diegans who want to set aside the hustle and bustle and reconnect with land, fragrance, and beauty.

Keys Creek Lavender Farm is a working farm where sloping hillsides grow rows of lavender, which is harvested, distilled and transformed into essential oil, medicinal creams, ointments, food ingredients and bouquets.  Guests are transformed through yoga classes, cooking classes, gourmet meals, a walk on the labyrinth and vistas of native plants and palm trees.

 Overnight guests take the transformation a step further, with a pleasant swimming pool, hot tub and sleeping in a luxury yurt or a charming cottage.

By Gary Gorton, St. Pius X Wine Tasting Festival Committee

Photos, left and below right: Vineyards and tasting room at Granite Lion Cellars in Jamul

May 23, 2018 (Jamul) -- Jamul has always been identified as a wine rich region. Grapes and wine were introduced to California in San Diego at the site of the Mission de Alcala, the first of the California Missions by Father Junipero Sierra who established the first vineyard on the Mission Valley Property back in 1769. The first wine for sacramental use was made by the monks in 1774.

How appropriate, then, that it is St. Pius X in Jamul hosting the third-annual wine-tasting festival this year. The date is June 30, 2018 from 5:30pm to 9:00 pm. The festival will be sponsored by the Wineries on Highway 94 and is being hosted at Jamal’s own D&S Farms, home of Granite Lion Cellars.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

Cover photo:  Monte Vista senior Ivan Plazola struck out 12 batters, but couldn't secure the lead as the Monarchs fell short.

May 22, 2018 (Spring Valley) - Monte Vista baseball has made it to the CIF Division IV playoffs.  Today in round one, they faced Kearny, the winners of a play-in on Monday against Calipatria.  The Komets are a near-perfect 11-1 in the Central League and a 17-12 overall record.  The Monarchs just barely eeked into the playoffs with a 9-6 record in the Grossmont League and an 18-11 overall record.  Senior Cade Logan took the hill for the Komets against senior Ivan Plazola for Monte Vista.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

May 21, 2018 (La Mesa) – A man accused of chasing and hurling a knife at a 13-year-old girl walking to Parkway Middle School this morning was shot and wounded by a La Mesa Police Officer.  The suspect has been identified as Bernard Graham, 34, of Spring Valley.

Source:  Saps at Sea

May 1, 2018 (Spring Valley) - The Saps at Sea, the official Laurel & Hardy fan club of San Diego, will continue their slam-bang festival of Funtastic films on Saturday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. (with the show starting at 7:00 p.m.) at Williams Hall at Trinity Church (3902 Kenwood Drive) in Spring Valley. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The 2018 Point in Time “We All Count” report on homelessness in our region reveals that 12.7% of San Diego County’s homeless population is in East County.  While El Cajon has made progress toward sheltering its homeless people, no such progress has been made in the unincorporated areas or most East County cities.

East County News Service

May 20, 2018 (Jamul) – At the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge in Jamul, talented wildlife photographer Debbie Ekhaml has been documenting a nest with four Great Horned Owls fledglings.

“Four is really amazing,” she says, adding that the species normally has two or three offspring at a time.

These large, nocturnal birds are found across our regional and can be identified by the tufts of feathers resembling horns. You may hear their distinctive “Hoo -H-Hoo” call after dark. 

Review by Liz Orient

May 18, 2018 (Ramona) -- Downtown Ramona is home to a collection of quaint and charming eateries. Marinade on Main uniquely presents itself as a beloved farm-to-table cafe. One Sunday afternoon, my colleague and I decided to stop in for brunch.

By Miriam Raftery

May 18, 2018 (El Cajon) – Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, Hacienda Casa Blanco opened up its new outdoor patio earlier this month.  The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the occasion, where  Chamber members savored margaritas, festive music and authentic Mexican dishes.

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2018 (El Cajon) – A 16-year-old student walking on the trolley tracks near the Roadway Inn in El Cajon was struck and killed by the trolley  around 8 p.m.Tuesday night.

According to a GoFundMe website set up by a teacher to help the family pay for medical expenses, the victim was a sophomore and captain of the basketball team at Chaparral High School.

El Cajon Police and paramedics responded, but the victim, Harley Groleau, was declared dead at the scene.