East County News Service

Photo: GoFundMe

May 21, 2017 (Alpine) – The County Medical Examiner has ruled that a shooting death on the Viejas reservation in Alpine that occurred on May 16^th was a homicide.  Death was caused by a gunshot wound to the torso.

Update May 21, 2017, 8 a.m.  -- The Gate fire nearly doubled overnight to 1,500 acres,  but firefighters made good progress overnight and the wildfire is now 30% contained. Road closures remain in effect.

Update 9 p.m. - An overnight shelter is opened at Otay Ranch High School,  250 Olympic Parkway in Chula Vista for those who have evacuated.  Pet supplies and RV parking are available.

East County New Service

Photo by Cyndy Hoffman, taken from her home, looking toward Otay

May 20, 2017 (Dulzura) -- The fast-moving Gate Fire has charred 800 acres and is 10% contained.

Tonight at 6:30 p.m., the following emergency message was sent to 77 contacts by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department:  “There is a fire in the area of Dulzura. The wind is blowing to the East and there is a concern that the fire may spread to your area.  You are being advised to be ready to evacuate if notified to do so.  You may evacuate now if you choose to do so.  The evacuation route is Highway 94 East to Buckman Springs North to Interstate 8 West.  Take interstate 8 West to East Willows Road.  Exit East Willows Road and turn right(north).  Continue West on East Willows Road to the Viejas Casino.  The Red Cross will have a temporary evacuation center located in the casino parking lot. This a fire warning only, not an evacuation order"

If you have an emergency call 9-1-1.  Monitor local television and radio stations, or call the San Diego County Information line by calling 2-1-1 for updated information. For animal emergencies related to this fire please contact Animal Services Dispatch (619) 767-2675.

By Jonathan Goetz

May 19, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove City Council voted 3-2 to support, with additional amendments, Assembly Bill 805 authored by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, which gives San Diego and Chula Vista more power on SANDAG, the regional transportation body in San Diego County.   The key change sought would allow chairs and vice chairs of SANDAG to include leaders from any city in the region, not just San Diego and Chula Vista. 

East County News Service

May 19, 2017 (El Cajon) – Joseph Bollacker, 25, of El Cajon has been arrested and charged with attempted homicide after shooting his girlfriend’s brother last night in El Cajon.

El Cajon Police received numerous calls of a shooting at an apartment at 633 South Johnson Avenue around 7:22 p.m. last night.  The victim was at the apartment shared by his girlfriend and her brother, Bollacker, when he was attacked by Bollacker, said Lieutenant Jason Taub.

East County News Service

May 18, 2017 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce encourages you to taste foods and beverages from dozens of local restaurants at the ninth annual “Taste of La Mesa” being held on Monday, June12th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.

East County News Service

May 19, 2017 (Spring Valley) – Calling all walkers! You’re invited to get on track and take turns walking for 24 hours, since cancer never sleeps. It’s all part of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life team event to fight cancer this Saturday and Sunday, May 21, starting at 9 a.m. each day at Monte Vista High School’s football field, 3230 Sweetwater Springs Blvd. in Spring Valley.

East County News Service

May 17, 2017 (Alpine) -- Detectives from the Sheriff's Homicide Detail and the Alpine Sheriff's Station are investigating the apparent murder of a 42-year-old man in Alpine.

Last night at approximately 6:35 pm, the Sheriff's Communications Center received a call of a suicidal man at 31 Viejas Grade in Alpine. Deputies from the Sheriff's Alpine Station responded to the area and found the man unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound. Paramedics began life saving measures but the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

May 16, 2017 (Lakeside) – Names of the deputies involved in the fatal shooting May 10^th on the Barona Reservation in Lakeside have been released by the Sheriff’s Department.  Deputy Matthew Addenbrooke fired a shotgun, Deputy Patrick Farber fired a patrol rifle, and deputies David Williams and Aaron Brooke each fired less-lethal shotguns.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

May 16, 2017 (Lakeside) – Cattle escaped from a pen in Lakeside on Sunday night, including a bull that wandered onto State Route 67.   Motorist Vicki Coles struck the bull near Willow Road, causing major damage to her Ford pickup truck.

East County News Service

May 15, 2017 (Ramona) –  A Mother’s Day crash last night in Ramona killed a San Diego woman, 29, who was eight months pregnant, along with her unborn child, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

By Julie Pendray 

May 15, 2017 (Alpine) -- When construction of a high school in Alpine was delayed indefinitely following passage of bond measures in 2004 and 2008, Alpine Union School District (AUSD) decided to seek unification. Reorganizing the district would enable it to operate K-12 schools and build the high school without waiting on Grossmont Unified High School District (GUSD), which is responsible for the school’s construction under Props. H and U. Alpine’s proposal was given the green light by the County Office of Education, which forwarded its recommendation to the state Board of Education (Board) in 2014.

By Miriam Raftery

May 12, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Library at 3001 School Lane in Lemon Grove is hosting “Art Days: Celebrate Art in the Grove!”  The series opens with a lecture May 15^th on the marvelous murals of Lemon Grove.

Additional upcoming events include an opportunity for teens to created melted crayon art, a preschool art show, and after school art. Scroll down for full details.

Source: City of La Mesa

May 12, 2017 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation will hold its annual “La Mesa Rocks!” event to benefit local La Mesa parks on May 19. The proceeds from this event provide FREE family activities such as summer concerts, movies in the park, science days and recreational events for kids.  The Foundation is currently raising funds to renovate playgrounds at Vista La Mesa, Collier and La Mesita parks.

Source: City of La Mesa

May 12, 2017 (La Mesa) -- The community is invited to attend the ribbon cutting celebration for the opening of the first phase of the Collier Park Improvement Project on May 25 at 4:30 pm at 4401 Palm Avenue in La Mesa.

By Jonathan Goetz

May 12, 2017 (El Cajon) - This week the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting dedication ceremony for El Cajon Family Health Center. It is dubbed a “comprehensive regional healthcare facility” that offers primary care, women’s services, vision, dental and mental health.