By Jennifer Mendoza, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Lemon Grove

August 18, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- Less than a year ago, the voters of Lemon Grove narrowly approved an ordinance to allow Medical Marijuana Dispensaries (MMD) to operate in our city. This ordinance was written by a coalition of MMD businesses and proponents. This same coalition is now unhappy with some of the language and restrictions they wrote into the ordinance. They wish to force the city to hold a special election in 2017, so that they can change the language.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left, Susan Wayne, La Mesa resident, speaks out

August 17, 2017 (La Mesa) - Pathfinder Silvergate La Mesa, LLC is threatening litigation following a 2-2 deadlock of the La Mesa City Council in their development proposal at the Little Flower Haven former convent site at 8585 La Mesa Blvd.

By Kendra Sitton

August 16, 2017 (Spring Valley) -- Finding a new home for Bostonia’s Station 19 dominated the San Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection District Board meeting on Aug. 9.

Upon a motion by Director McKenna, seconded by Director Kim Raddatz, the board voted unanimously to direct the Fire Chief to hire a consultant to plan, direct and oversee the due diligence processes and respective timelines, and make recommendations back to the Board on options for placement of a short-term and/or permanent fire station at 657 E. Bradley, El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

August 16, 2017 (Julian) -- If you love apples, the Julian Apple Days Festival on September 23^rd and 24^th is the place to be.  Located at Menghini Winery (1150 Julian Orchards Drive) in historic Julian, the event features Julian’s famous apple pie, gold panning demonstrations, a falconry performance, live music and dancing, an antique tractor display, children’s games and activities, a beer and wine garden, food and merchandise vendors, contests and more.

By Miriam Raftery

August 15, 2017 (Mount Helix) – A resident on Mount Helix says he caught a woman driving a Lexus luxury car red-handed, stealing avocados off trees at his home before dawn last week.

The resident, Alan van Antwerp, in an interview with ECM news partner 10 News, said a motion sensor alerted him. He posted a photo of the startled woman and her license plate number on the Next Door Mount Helix forum, eliciting over 100 comments, many from residents reporting similar thefts of avocados and other fruits by thieves who left trees stripped bare.

By County News Center, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 14, 2017 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego Thursday released a draft Climate Action Plan for a 45-day public comment period scheduled to end Sept. 25.

The draft plan is designed to cut greenhouse gases in the County’s unincorporated communities as well as those related to County government operations. It seeks to meet state requirements with actions that balance environmental, economic and community interests, while taking into account the County’s largely rural character.

East County News Service

August 14, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Celebrating its 44th year in 2017, the popular La Mesa Oktoberfest is going back to its roots to bring guests more entertainment, more vendors, more beer, and more "Prost!” (cheers!) than ever before, organizers have announced. Under the direction of the La Mesa Village Association, this year’s fest will showcase a revitalized and elevated experience for all ages on Friday, September 29th through Sunday, October 1st. Attractions include many vendors featuring craftwork and knick-knacks, foods ranging from scrumptious sausages to food truck favorites, live entertainment, beer and now, cocktails. 

By Miriam Raftery

August 12, 2017 (San Diego) – El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho is counter-suing two contestants in the Miss Middle East Beauty Pageant that he founded, alleging that his reputation has been harmed by their claims that include fraud and sexual harassment.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Ben Kalasho, August 8, 2017 (El Cajon)

August 11, 2017 (El Cajon) - Councilman Ben Kalasho threatened to file an employment discrimination complaint Tuesday as the Council discussed a resolution to limit Council members’ use of electronic devices during City Council meetings.    

Events provided by Monica Zech, Public Information Officer for the City of El Cajon

August 11, 2017 (El Cajon) – This Saturday, El Cajon hosts a free e-waste and paper shredding event. Coming up this week are the Heroes in concert, and Cajon Speedway Night downtown.  Other upcoming activities include the Alley Cat art walk and an Air Group One breakfast featuring World War II aerial crew heroes sharing their historic memories.  Scroll down for these events and more – all in El Cajon.

East County News Service

August 10, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- Bestselling author T. Jefferson Parker will visit the Lemon Grove Library on Saturday, September 30 at 2:00 P.M. to promote his new novel The Room of White Fire. Parker will read excerpts from the book, discuss themes from the story, answer questions from the audience, and sign copies of the book.

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.