Source:  Caltrans

May 1, 2017 (Ramona) -- Lane closures with one-way traffic control are scheduled on State Route 67 (SR-67) at the Dye Road/Highland Valley Road intersection in Ramona, Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. The closures are needed to accommodate intersection widening work for the SR-67 Dye Road/Highland Valley Road Project.

Police seek leads on suspect, described as bald Hispanic man in white polo shirt

By Miriam Raftery

April 30, 2017 (La Mesa) – A security guard was injured by a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his thigh at 1:35 a.m. outside Jolt N Joe’s Bar.  Several vehicles parked outside were also struck.

East County News Service

April 29, 2017 (Santee) -- Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Helix Water District, City of El Cajon and the County of San Diego were recently honored with being named “Recycled Water Agency of the Year” - medium agency category - from the WateReuse California Section and the WateReuse California Board for their work on the East County Advanced Water Purification Program. To celebrate,  they teamed up with Ballast Point Brewing Company to serve up a”Padre Dam Pilsner,”  a  beer made with treated wastewater from the East County Advanced Water Purification Program  at a reception last month at the Westin hotel downtown.

East County News Service

April 29, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Simone Bahou, 52, was arrested April 27^th after fleeing from Sheriff’s deputies.

According to Sergeant M. Hettinger, a Sheriff’s deputy responded to a call reporting a suspicious person drinking alcohol in his vehicle behind the CVS store at 3749 Avocado Boulevard in unincorporated La Mesa. Upon arrival, the suspect, (later identified as Bahou, started his vehicle and slowly drove past the deputy as he approached on foot.

By Miriam Raftery

April 28, 2017 (La Mesa) – Bookworms, rejoice! Huffington Post has published a list of the best 50 independent bookstores in the U.S.  Five are here in California – including Maxwell’s House of Books in La Mesa.

East County News Service

April 28, 2017 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa Beautiful will hold its third annual plant sale on Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The sale will be at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 4816 Glen Street in La Mesa.

Potential 500-megawatt renewable energy project at the San Vicente Reservoir site could help stabilize water rates as a new revenue source

Source:  San Diego County Water Authority

April 27, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors today authorized the Water Authority, in conjunction with the City of San Diego, to begin seeking detailed proposals for a potential energy storage facility at San Vicente Reservoir. The project could help ease pressure on electric grids by producing locally generated renewable energy on demand, and also lessen upward pressure on water rates by providing a new source of revenue.

By Miriam Raftery

April 25, 2017 (Cuyamaca) –From flowing water falls to blooming wildflowers, nature put on a spectacular show in San Diego’s East County. On Saturday,  I headed out to the mountains, taking the Highway 79 exit north off I-8 to start with a visit to Green Valley Falls in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park, followed by stops at Lake Cuyamaca  and picturesque Julian.

By Miriam Raftery

April 25, 2017 (La Mesa) – Was the 2016 presidential election hijacked by Russian hackers?  San Diego investigative reporter John Mattes believes so. The award-winning journalists’ disturbing findings have been published on numerous news sites. On Wednesday, May 3^rd, he’ll be presenting his evidence at a meeting of the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club at 7 p.m. in the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa.

East County News Service

April 24, 2017 (Ramona) -- Arlene (Paladino) Alper, 63, died at her home on Mt. Woodson in Ramona, CA  on April 18, 2017 after a long battle with stage four breast cancer.  She was the mother of East County Magazine sportswriter Liz Alper.

By Miriam Raftery

Chart courtesy of NASA: Temperature data from four international science institutions all show rapid warming in past few decades-- and the last decade has been the warmest on record.

April 24, 2017 (Santee) – Santee’s City Council took a step toward establishing a “Sustainable Santee” climate action plan, but only under pressure from the state to do so. 

By a 4-1 vote on April 12, with Mayor John Minto opposed, the Council voted to hire LSA Associates to complete the city’s climate action plan and an environmental impact report, as required by California law. Council authorized paying up to $133,000 to the consulting company.

By Miriam Raftery

“I will argue that my minority and low income citizens have just as much right to be fairly represented as San Diego and Chula Vista.”—Lemon Grove Councilman Jerry Jones

April 23, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Assembly Bill 805  passed the Assembly Local Government Committee on Wednesday by a 5-4 vote.  The measure claims to  reform SANDAG,  but in fact gives virtually all power to the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista, leaving East County cities and other communities in our county powerless to add agenda items to benefit other cities or block objectionable measures at SANDAG, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District.

Now East County cities are fighting back.   On Tuesday, La Mesa’s City Council will consider a proposal from Council members Bill Baber and Kristine Alessio to hire a legislative lobbyist to advocate on La Mesa’s behalf against AB 805, which was authored by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), according to the agenda.

El Cajon’s City Council has voted to oppose AB 805, as did Lemon Grove and La Mesa.  East County Assemblyman Randy Voepel, former Mayor of Santee, voted against the measure in committee.

By Miriam Raftery

April 23, 2017 (La Mesa) – At the Helix Water Board meeting on Wednesday, the board will discuss funding for Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa, at the request of director Mark Gracyk.  For the past five years, Helix has contributed 35 percent of the park’s operation and maintenance costs. Last year, that amounted to $158,629 donated by Helix.

East County News Service

April 22, 2017 (Campo-Lake Morena) – The Campo Lake Morena Planning Group meets Monday, April 24^th at 7 p.m. at the Mountain Empire Community Center (976 Seridan Rd., Campo).   

The agenda includes a discussion about low-flying military helicopters over communities, a proposed change in state law regarding parks funding, and a review of applicants for a board vacancy.  Applications are still being accepted. 

Scroll down to view full agenda.

By Miriam Raftery

April 22, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) – During the Spring Garden Festival at Cuyamaca College, Heritage of the Americas Museum is offering entertaining and education presentations including tops on NASA, the National Parks, and Native American fire building:

Journey through the Cosmos with the Art of NASA - 11 a.m.

Adventure & Discoveries in Your Nearby National Parks - 1 p.m.

Kumeyaay Fire-Making & Artifacts - 2 p.m.

Scroll down for details.