East County News Service

October 6, 2017 (Lakeside) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East Region, will present the 2017 Kids Care Fest, a free, family-oriented health event open to the public. Featuring free health screenings, Kids Care Fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview St., Lakeside.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 5, 2017 (San Diego) - It’s frightening how much fun you can have at parks this month. The San Diego County Department of Parks and Recreation will host a dozen chilling and thrilling Halloween events including haunted hikes, pumpkin parties and a day of the dead.

Don’t be a scaredy cat. All events are family-friendly, for all ages and some are even in the daytime. Most are free, though some have parking fees. Inclement weather may cancel some of the outdoor events.

By Miriam Raftery

October 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Today, Assemblyman Randy Voepel (R-Santee) announced he will be holding a "Listening Tour" through multiple communities within the 71st Assembly District including Santee, Julian, Lakeside, El Cajon, Ramona and Idyllwild.  The Listening Tour will provide an opportunity for constituents to hear a legislative update, ask questions, and offer ideas for how to improve California.

East County News Service

October 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Agriculture values in San Diego County returned to their growing ways in the latest annual County Crop Report, increasing by 2.63 percent to nearly 1.75 billion dollars last year.  That’s a big shift, after two years of decline during the drought.

East County News Service

October 3, 2017 (Ramona) -- The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona joins in celebrating Julian’s apple season, inviting visitors to treat camels to sweet, tart, crisp apples.  On October 7, 8 and 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. the celebration also include an open farm tour with friendly farm animals and curious camels. Plus, at 1:30 p.m. each day, you can enjoy a humorous and entertaining animal show.

By Miriam Raftery

October 3, 2017 (La Mesa) – Our second East County Dining Club event once again filled a local restaurant to capacity. Guests savored special Italian dishes, homemade pasta,Italian and local wines, and  live Italian vocal music  at Tiramisu Trattoria in La Mesa--also winning a wealth of prizes, meeting neighbors and making new friends.

By Miriam Raftery

October 3, 2017 (Spring Valley) – Otay Water District’s Board of Directors, at its October 4 meeting at 3:30 p.m., will hold a public hearing and vote on rates, fees and charges for fiscal year 2017-18 and to consider authorizing a five-year pass-through of cost increases from water wholesalers and district rate increases. That rate may not exceed 10 percent a year for all costs other than pass-through costs. 

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2017 (La Mesa) — Last night, La Mesa Police detectives arrested La Mesa resident Christopher Artale, 40, for attempted murder of Alfonso Prado, 35, of National City.  Artale shot Prado in the head following an altercation Sunday afternoon in front of Artale’s home.

East County News Service

October 2, 2017 (Flinn Springs) — The Pumpkin Patch at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs invites you to Pumpkin Patch Weekends complete with corn maze, jumpy for kids, popcorn and more. There are also special dates for petting and meeting a variety of animals from alpacas to pigs, as well as a dog show, costume contest and more.

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2017 (La Mesa) – A La Mesa resident allegedly shot a man in the head at Glen and Mariposa Streets, near State Route 125 above Lemon Avenue elementary school Sunday afternoon around 4:45 p.m. The street is also close to La Mesa Village where the Oktoberfest was ongoing at the time.

By Mimi Pollack

October 1, 2017 (Santa Ysabel) -- There are five luscious Siberian cupcakes residing near Santa Ysabel, on the way to Palomar Mountain. What are Siberian cupcakes? These are domesticated Russian foxes-- and this author was lucky enough to meet all five of them at the Judith A Bassett Canid Education and Conservation Center.

East County News Service

October 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) this week announced a $100,000 charitable grant to purchase essential equipment and medical apparatus for San Diego County Fire and rural fire agencies to better serve local communities and protect the region from future fires.

East County News Service

September 29, 2017 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force and Crime Stoppers has issued a bulletin warning the public to be on the lookout for Enrique Leon. He is wanted for using force and causing injury to escape arrest. He is known to frequent San Ysidro and Lemon Grove.

By Miriam Raftery

Rally and march photos by Robert Gehr

Cover photo:  Alfred Olango's father, Richard Olango Abuka

September 29, 2017 (El Cajon) – A one-year anniversary event commemorating the death of Alfred Olango, an African-American man shot and killed by an El Cajon Policeman, was held Thursday on Civic Center Way in downtown El Cajon, followed by a march to city hall and the police station.

East County News Service

September 28, 2017 (El Cajon) - The German America Club of San Diego hosts its annual Oktoberfest at its headquarters (1017 Mollison Ave.) in El Cajon over two weekends, September 29^th through October 1^st and again October 6^th through 8^th.