By Miriam Raftery

September 2, 2017 (Ramona) — A blue 1997 GEO metro vehicle registered in Ramona was found down an embankment off westbound Poway Road, where it came to rest against two trees.  After a passerby reported the vehicle, deputies searched for victims and found a dead woman who had been ejected, near an open driver’s side door.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo, left:  Cal Fire, 9/2/2017

Photo, below right: Paula Maness, 9/1/2017

September 2, 2017 (Dulzura) – The Border Fire south of Dulzura is now 75 percent contained and has charred an estimated 130 acres, according to Cal Fire.

The brush fire began yesterday along Highway 94 near Marron Valley Road.It is currently spreading to the northeast and is not expected to impact populations. Firefighters will remain on scene constructing containment lines and  mopping up hot spots.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Firefighter Paramedic Brenton Rowell from the Mt. Laguna County Fire Station is completing his morning checks of the Advanced Life Support gear.

September 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- A person suffering cardiac arrest or going into anaphylactic shock will receive immediate treatment from responding firefighter paramedics who were recently added to existing fire engine service in five communities.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Erik Prince, Blackwater founder

September 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Blackwater founder Erik Prince has been “implicated in murder,” the Nation reports. The article, written by journalist and author Jeremy Scahill, indicates that sworn statements filed in Federal Court on August 3rd allege that the private military company’s founder, Erik Prince launched a “crusade” to eliminate Muslims and Islam.Many East County residents will recall meeting Scahill, who visited Potrero and San Diego back in 2007.  Scahill came to warn local residents about serious ethical issues involving Blackwater, which was aiming to build a paramilitary training camp in a valley in Potrero. 

The Nation article reports that a former Blackwater employee and an ex-Marine who worked as a security operative for Blackwater both made explosive allegations in sworn statements claiming that Prince may have murdered or facilitated the murder of people who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company. Their identities are being kept secret for their own protection.

East County News Service

September 1, 2017 (Dulzura) – A Cal Fire helicopter assigned to firefighting on the Border Fire south of Dulzura today made a hard landing in a field adjacent to the brush fire.

The pilot was the sole occupant on board and did not suffer any injuries, Cal Fire reports.

Update 11:54 a.m.  The Sheriff advised residents through Alert San Diego that  the fire is in the Bee Canyon area of Dulzura. No evacuations have been advised but residents are urged to stay tuned to local media and make sure your mobile phone is registered with AlertSanDiego to receive evacuation notices, www.ReadySanDiego.org and follow Cal Fire for updated fire information: https://twitter.com/CALFIRESANDIEGO

Update 11:40 a.m.  The fire is now 15 percent contained and has burned 120 acres, Cal Fire reports.

Update 10:45 a.m.  Fire is now 110 acres and still zero percent contained. SDG&E's helicopter, several fixed wing aircraft and over 220 firefighters are among the resources at the scene. 

September 1, 2017 (Dulzura) -- The #BorderFire burning in Dulzura has charred at least 50 acres of brush and is zero percent contained.  The blaze began at 5:40 a.m. near State Route 94 and Marron Valley Road. There are no road closures at this time. The fire is burning to the north and east.

Resources committed include 20 fire engines, 10 hand crews, 7 water tenders, 3 bulldozers, and 3 Type II helicopters.

You can view video and a map at Cal Fire's Twitter feed here:  https://twitter.com/CALFIRESANDIEGO

Photo: Gastil, right, with UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla's Community Advisory Board

By Jonathan Goetz

August 31, 2017 (San Diego) – Lemon Grove resident George Gastil, a professor, former school board and city council member, has been appointed to Chancellor Pradeep Khosla’s Community Advisory Board (CCAB) for the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). 

By Miriam Raftery

August 31, 2017 (Mount Laguna) – The Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association invites you to take a walk back in history to meet and talk with Mount Laguna’s pioneers and residents from the 1880s.  The Living History Pageant on Mount Laguna, a free and family friendly event, will be held this Saturday and Sunday, September 2 and 3. The walks are at 9:30 a.m.,  11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. both days.

Source:  Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

August 30, 2017 (Ramona) - The 5th annual Ramona Art and Wine Festival will be held at Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Road, Ramona, Calif., on Saturday, November 4, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Early-bird discounted tickets are available now at http://ramonaartandwinefest.net.

Documentary on education apartheid in Iran against Baha’I minority to premiere at Harlem International Film Festival

East County News Service

August 30, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Changing the World, One Wall at a Time, is a documentary feature film on Education Is Not a Crime – the world’s largest street art and human rights campaign, which raises awareness about education apartheid by Iran’s government against tens of thousands of Baha’is in the country. 

WESTliving, a bronze sponsor at this year’s walk, partners with La Mesa community to help the fight against the disease

East County News Service

September 1, 2017 (La Mesa) - WESTliving, a senior living provider dedicated to inspired aging, is partnering up with their La Mesa community, The Montera to raise awareness and help in the fight against Alzheimer’s at the Alzheimer’s Association’s, Walk to End Alzheimer’s San Diego 5K on Saturday, Sept. 9.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

August 29, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Sheriff’s department has released the identity of a 19-year-old shot dead in Lemon Grove on August 24^th by law enforcement officers after a pursuit that began in La Mesa and ended on Rebecca Lane in Lemon Grove.

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2017 (La Mesa) – Facing a threat of legal action, on September 12^th, La Mesa’s City Council will reconsider its vote on a proposed apartment complex at the former Little Flower Haven convent site on University Avenue.

By Valerie Watts

August 28, 2017 (Julian) - As the days start to shorten and the mountain air (finally) starts to get a little nippy, our thoughts drift to warm drinks and apples and then to Julian.  What better way to indulge during the season than with an apple-themed tea at the lovely Julian Tea & Cottage Arts?  From September 21 through Monday, September 25, they are offering an apple-themed menu highlighting that Julian specialty.  Tucked away a block from the busy Main Street in a historical home at 2124 Third Street, their "special-tea" features Hungarian apple soup, apple themed finger sandwiches, scones with apple butter and an apple dessert, and, of course, fine teas.  Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available with advance notice.