East County News Service

July 28, 2017 (La Mesa) – More than 60,000 people in San Diego County reportedly suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Another 150,000 people love and care for them. What are the risk factors for dementia and lifestyle factors associated with good brain health? What is the latest research telling us? Are there new daily habits that can improve brain health?

By Miriam Raftery

July 28, 2017 (Jamul) – Earlier this month, we covered concerns raised by Jamul community members and Supervisor Dianne Jacob over highway safety concerns on State Route 94 since the Hollywood Jamul-San Diego Casino opened and on delays in improvements planned on State Route 94.

In response to our inquiry, we received a statement issued by Caltrans, as well as additional remarks from Caltrans public information office Cathryne Bruce-Johnson.

Below is the statement:

Country threatens to take away all funds and a fire/paramedic engine if district board refuses County’s offer

East County News Service

July 27, 2017 (Julian) -- On Thursday, July 27 at 6:30 pm, at the Julian Fire Station (3407 Highway 79 in Julian), the San Diego County Fire Authority will make its final presentation to try to convince the community to dissolve its volunteer fire department and be accepted under the Fire Authority. 

The meeting will begin with a professional video mad for  the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD),  followed by a Powerpoint presentation by County Fire Chief Tony Mecham. The audience will be able to ask questions and express concerns.

The County is proposing that, at a cost of $1.5 million, it will provide a staff of three professional firefighters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. But if the JCFPD refuses the offer, the County will withdraw all financial support that it has been giving for 30 years, including a paramedic/engine placed at CalFire almost 2 years ago.

East County News Service

July 27, 2017 (La Mesa) –A high-powered panel of local political heavy-weights will discuss what inspired them to run and why others should consider entering the political arena at the Wednesday August 2 meeting of La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club (7 p.m. in the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Dr, La Mesa).

This panel includes Congressional members Susan Davis and Scott Peters, Assembly members Todd Gloria and Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher, Helix Water Board Director Mark Gracyk, Executive director of The Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI), Dr. Kyra Greene.   (Photo, left)

Democrats outnumber Republicans in La Mesa, Lemon Grove and San Diego, yet there are scores of seats on local boards and jurisdictions where Republicans run unopposed every election cycle.  Now, Democrats are taking their “Resist Trump” agenda to the grass-roots by enticing new leaders to run for office.and inspiring those on the sidelines to get involved. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Dennis Mammana

July 26, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – California Overland Adventures invites you to a 5-hour sunset-to-stars excursion to experience the Anza-Borrego Desert on August 11 or August 16  from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. including an off-road adventure to rugged badlands, dinner and stargazing in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which USA Today has called a “stargazer’s paradise.”

Overnight camping options are also available on separate dates.

By Mary Elizabeth Sasso

July 25, 2017 (Mount Laguna) -- Late Friday night, a group of photographers organized by Randy Miller of El Cajon traveled 45 miles east of San Diego to the Cleveland National Forest in search of the Milky Way galaxy. After a short hike up a paved road, we arrived at the Mount Laguna Observatory which is approximately 6100 feet above sea level.

East County News Service

July 25, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- H. Dail Rankin succumbed to a heart attack on June 14, 2017 after a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and complications caused by chemotherapy.  Born January 24,1944, he attended local schools and became known to many in East County through the years as an Allstate Insurance agent, a Standard Brands Paints manager, and the organizer of multi-class reunions for Lincoln High School.

By Julie Pendray

Photo: Animal Services worker evacuates pets during Border Fire

July 25, 2017 (Ramona) -- A public meeting about the County’s possible outsourcing of animal welfare services in unincorporated areas drew criticism last week from union members and some residents in this town, where memories of evacuating horses and other animals during the Witch Creek and Cedar wildfires are still scorched deeply into local culture.

East County News Service

July 24, 2017 (Santee) – Deputies from the Santee Sheriff’s station responding to a vehicle fire this morning in Santee collided with a southbound trolley at Prospect Avenue and Cuyamaca Street.

The deputies entered the intersection with lights flashing and sirens on.  Twelve passengers were in the trolley, but fortunately no injuries were reported, the Sheriff’s Department reports.

East County News Service

July 23, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – The Real East County Fire Safe Council, EDCO and Team E invite you to bring your trash, green waste, e-waste and brush to community clean-up day events coming up in Boulevard, Jacumba Hot Springs and Potrero. This is a free service to community residents.

By Miriam Raftery

July 23, 2017 (Ramona) – Complaints by neighbors of suspicious activity led to a search warrant for a property in the 500 block of F Street in Ramona early this morning.  SWAT team members and deputies with the Sheriff’s crime suppression team found firearms, drugs, drug paraphernalia and suspected stolen property.

Update July 23, 2017 8 p.m.-- The fire is 40% contained and has burned 255 acres. The evacuation advisory for Chihuahua Valley Road has been lifted as firefighters make good progress on this fire.

Update July 23, 2017, 8:20 a.m. (Warner Springs) -- With better mapping the fire is now estimated at 210 acres. Cleveland National Forest and CAL FIRE are fighting it in a joint command.  Hiikers are urge to avoid the Pacific Crest trail in the area. An evacuation advisory is in effect for Chihuahua Valley Road.

East County News Service

July 22, 2017 (Warner Springs) -- A 300-acre wildfire dubbed the #LostFire is burning four miles north of Warner Springs and is zero percent contained ths evening, according to County Emergency Services and CAL FIRE.

The blaze began at the Indian Flats Campground off State Route 79.  Indian Flats campground has been evacuated. Hwy 79 closed at Indian Flats Rd., Chihuahua Valley Rd. and Puerta LaCruz Rd

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

July 21, 2017 (La Mesa) – An argument ended in fatal gunfire last night around 7 p.m. in the parking lot of a La Mesa shopping center at Baltimore Drive and El Cajon Boulevard. The center houses Burlington Coat Factory, an El Torito restaurant and other retail outlets.

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Officers Association has set up a Go fund me page (https://www.gofundme.com/ieshafund ) for Iesha Booker, a homeless mother of seven who came to the aid of Officer Sioson after he was knocked unconscious by a suspect who continued to assault him, causing serious injuries.

The 34-year-old MTS bus driver, was at the KFC in El Cajon when the assault occurred.  “When everyone else at the KFC stood around shocked, Lesha quickly stepped in, using Officer Sioson’s police radio to transmit `Officer Down at the KFC!’   It was that transmission which allowed us to expedite help to Officer Sioson, quickly arrest the suspect,” says Travis Howard, president of the El Cajon Police Officers Association.

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2017 (La Mesa)—A high-speed pursuit from Santee to La Mesa ended early this morning in the laundry room of a La Mesa apartment complex, where SWAT teams from La  Mesa and San Diego police departments helped capture the suspect, Randy Hanks, 37.