East County News Service

August 9, 2017 (Santee) – A woman walking her dog shortly after 9:30 p.m. Monday night in the 9700 block of Cottonwood in Santee was violently assaulted.

The Sheriff’s office reports that a man attacked the woman from behind and cut her shorts. The victim suffered scratches and was taken to a hospital, then released later that evening.

By Kendra Sitton

Photo, left and inside photo:  Henderson and Voepel speak after the breakfast

August 9, 2017 (Alpine) -- “Frank asked me to not get political and keep it positive. I'm going to fail him miserably,” said state Assembly member Randy Voepel. He addressed the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce at their monthly Hot Topics Breakfast at the request of Frank Sturnold, the interim executive of the Chamber while a restructuring is underway.

By Jonathan Goetz

August 9, 2017 (La Mesa) - Congress members Susan Davis and Scott Peters, Assembly members Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher and Todd Gloria, and Helix Director Mark Gracyk all shared at the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club last week their reasons for running for public office.

Story and photos by Julie Pendray

Photo:  County Fire Authority Chief Tony Mecham addressed about 100 people at a special meeting of Julian/Cuyamaca Fire Protection District on July 27.

August 9, 2017 (Julian) – Impassioned pleas to save the volunteer firefighting operation in this historic California gold mining town were rebutted by cold, hard, financial facts at a special public meeting of the Julian/Cuyamaca Fire Protection District.

East County News Service

August 8, 2017 (El Cajon) – A home in the 1300 block of Marline Avenue in El Cajon sustained $75,000 in damages to the house and contents from a fire reported at 1:20 p.m. Monday afternoon.

Heartland Fire and Rescue Service responded within four minutes, aided by crews from San Miguel and Lakeside Fire.  Firefighters found a fire on an enclosed patio behind the single-story home had spread into the main part of the house.

Source: San Diego Sheriff’s Santee Station

August 8, 2017 (Santee) -- Investigators with the Santee Sheriff's Station want your help in identifying and locating a man wanted for burglary and credit card fraud.

The first incident happened just after midnight on May 6th. The suspect used a stolen credit card to buy more than $500 worth of merchandise from the CVS store along the 9700 block of Mission Gorge Road in Santee. Investigators say the suspect had stolen the credit card from a secured locker inside the 24-Hour Fitness located in the 9900 block of Mission Gorge Road.

East County News Service

August 8, 2017 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School District board will convene a special meeting on bond refunding on Thursday, August 10. The public session begins at 6 p.m. after a closed-session meeting earlier.

By Paul Kruze

Photo:  Congresswoman Susan Davis addresses audience at veterans’ town hall in El Cajon.

Listen to veterans’ town hall with Congresswoman Davis:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/otg5ea4rh7x1i8p/SusanDavisVeterans_Final.mp3

August 7, 2017 (El Cajon) -- With the United States involved in war campaigns in the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia over the past century, there are U.S. soldiers who have returned home visibly unscathed by the hell of war. But there are those soldiers who have returned home healthy on the outside, yet everyday continue to deal with the ravages of war on the inside, enduring post-traumatic stress disorder and other challenges.

By Miriam Raftery

August 7, 2017 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police have arrested two teenagers for armed robbery aboard a trolley on July 5^th.

According to police, the victim, a juvenile male, was riding a trolley from San Diego. When it arrived at the Amaya Trolley Station in La Mesa, a group of young males approved the victim and one asked for the time.

East County News Service

August 7, 2017 (Boulevard) – John Mauris snapped these photos of a Cailfornia grey fox in Boulevard. Though less colorful than their cousins, the red foxes, grey foxes are even more agile.

These crafty foxes are one of only two species of canines capable of climbing trees.  

By Rachel Williams

August 7, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Medical handouts, translated to English and Arabic, are strewn across the table at St. John’s Church for Syrian and Afghan refugees. Health organizations around San Diego participated in an educational meet and greet to introduce the differences in urgent and emergency care, proper nutrition and disease prevention.

East County News Service

August 5, 2017 (Anza-Borrego) -- Calling All Photographers!  The 2018 Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest is now live and ready to accept your entries!

The contest is meant to encourage desert lovers and photography enthusiasts to capture their favorite views, moments and adventures in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Since the theme of the contest is the unique and natural beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, all photographs must be taken within the Park boundaries.

Board passes over ex-PTA president/LMSV bond oversight committee member and former teacher’s union representative to select church worker

By Kendra Sitton

Read full transcript of meeting here.

August 5, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Rebekah Basson received the appointment to the La Mesa-Spring Valley (LMSV) Board of Education during a special meeting on Aug. 3, just two days before the deadline for an expensive special election to be held in its place.

The sustainably sourced and succulent favorite is flown in fresh every week for guests to savor

East County News Service

August 4, 2017 (Alpine) -- Crab lovers, rejoice: The Buffet at Viejas Casino & Resort is kicking off King Crab Leg Fridays, when guests can enjoy an unlimited feast of the delectable culinary favorite. Flown in fresh every week from the icy waters off of the Alaskan coast, the sustainably sourced King Crab is the newest featured addition to The Buffet’s recent enhancements, which also include a state-of-the-art, no-wait, no-hassle reservation system created in partnership with Yelp.

East County News Service

August 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Authorities seek public help to locate 31-year-old Rainier Raroque, a convicted sexual batterer.  He failed to register as a sex offender in San Diego County and is known to frequent La Mesa and Lemon Grove, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department reports.