Communities

ALPINE PLANNING GROUP CENSURES MEMBER LOU RUSSO OVER ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF ETHICS CODE AND BROWN ACT

 

By Miriam Raftery

Updated with responses from planning group members Russo and Martinez.

June 30, 2017 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Planning Group (ACPG) voted at its meeting last week to censure member Lou Russo for violation of the Group’s code of ethics. The vote was unanimous with the exception of Russo. 


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COMMUNITY FORUM WITH EL CAJON MAYOR WELLS AND POLICE CHIEF DAVIS ADDRESSES CITIZENS’ CONCERNS ON HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS

 

Hear audio of the meeting: 

http://www.mediafire.com/file/vf31iozwi183wxj/ElCajonHomelessForum1.mp3

By Paul Kruze

June 30, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Spurred on by a mentally ill homeless woman who made her street home in front of a shuttered El Cajon motel on East Main Street earlier this month and numerous homeless individuals settling in central El Cajon, some 50 El Cajon residents gathered in the Community Room at the El Cajon Police Department for a town hall meeting last Monday night hosted by El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and Chief of Police Jeff Davis.


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DUI CHECKPOINT IN EL CAJON NETS ZERO ARRESTS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Paul Kruze



June 29, 2017 (El Cajon) – A DUI/driver’s license checkpoint in El Cajon on June 24th resulted in zero arrests.  Around 20 law enforcement personnel from El Cajon Police Department, including officers as well as five cadets and five senior volunteers, participated in the checkpoint in the 1400 block of East Washington Avenue from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.


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BARGAIN HUNTERS, OTHERS ENJOYED ALPINE FLEA MARKET

 

By Jo Moreland

June 28, 2017 (Alpine) -- Browsing and buying cheap goods, great services and delicious food made the Alpine Flea Market the spot to shop on June 24.

Shoppers and vendors at 45 booths ignored the warm weather in order to make hot sales.at the flea market, located in the parking lot at Joan MacQueen Middle School.


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100 LOCAL RESIDENTS CAMPED OUT FOR GRAND OPENING OF CHICK-FIL-A IN LA MESA

 

East County News Service

June 27, 2017 (La Mesa) – The newest Chick-fil-A restaurant in San Diego County has opened. The Grossmont Chick-fil-A at 8200 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, recently became the 11th Chick-fil-A restaurant operating in San Diego County.


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ROLLING OUT IN ALPINE: VIEJAS ROLLER RINK NOW OPEN FOR SUMMER

 

East County News Service

June 27, 2017 (Alpine) – Southern California’s largest outdoor roller skating rink is now open at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine and will remain open through September 4, weather permitting.


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ART, MUSIC AND DINNER UNDER THE STARS AT 10TH ANNUAL HEART OF MT. HELIX AUGUST 12

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 27, 2017 (Mt. Helix) – The 10th annual HeART of Mt. Helix on August 12th from 5 to 10 p.m. will feature live art demonstrations and art auctions, music on two stages, a juried art show, succulent plant sale, and tastings from top local restaurants atop Mt. Helix.


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STATE ROUTE 67 LANE CLOSURES IN RAMONA AREA

 

East County News Service

June 27, 2017 (Ramona) – Lane closures on State Route 67 at the Highland Valley Road/Dye Road intersection are slated from 7 p.m .to  5 a.m. tonight as well as Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday nights.   At least one lane will remain open, but motorists are advised to expect traffic delays, Cal Trans has announced.

The closure is due to paving and road striping work.  Highway workers will be directing traffic in the affected area.


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BRUSH FIRE IN DEHESA: FORWARD SPREAD HALTED

 

Update 12:05 p.m. - The fire is now 30% contained, per Cal Fire.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Gloria Chadwick

June 27, 2017 (Dehesa) -- Cal Fire's incident commander reports that forward spread has been stopped on a 20-acre brush fire in Dehesa. The Sloane Fire started at Sloane Canyon east of Dehesa Road in East County mid-morning. 

No structures are threatened.


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WOMAN FATALLY STRUCK BY TEEN DRIVER IN EL CAJON

 

East Couty News Service

June 27, 2017 (El Cajon ) – A woman in her 50s who was walking home from the grocery store crossed North Mollison Avenue near Main Street outside of a marked intersection last night at 8:45. She was struck by a black Acura sedan driven by a 19-year-old driver.  Paramedics transported the woman to a hospital, where she later died.


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WILDEST JOBS: MAX 105.7’S CHACHA IN THE SNAKE PIT

 

Hunting down the wildest jobs in San Diego’s East County

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

June 26, 2017 (La Mesa) -- “I saw Jurassic Park, I know how this ends!” said MAX 105.7 FM DJ Rob Zilla of his fellow DJ, Karen “ChaCha” Harlow.  ChaCha was sitting in a self-styled snake pit with a red-tailed boa, among other reptiles, at La Mesa’s Grossmont Center’s courtyard on Saturday, June 24th.  It was all part of the job—for a good cause of bringing in food donations for The Jacob & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.  Thankfully, Jurassic Park’s grisly endings went unrealized.


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CROSS IN OCOTILLO WELLS IN CROSSHAIRS OF CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2017 (Ocotillo) - In 1966, Jim Bruce Robinson was killed in action during the Vietnam War. He was 21 years old.  A memorial plaque and towering cross were erected in his memory in Ocotillo Wells, across the street from the home where his family still lives. 


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WATER TRUCK DRIVER OUT ON A LIMB

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2017 (Ramona) – A water tender truck wound up out on a limb last Friday – literally. 

The driver of the commercial-sized vehicle was heading on Agrarian Road east of Ramona when his vehicle went off the side of the road and hurtled down 30 feet, rolling over.  But the freefall plunge was stopped by a tree branch that snagged the front of the truck, leaving the bulky vehicle dangling.


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CO-AUTHOR OF LA MESA’S MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY INITIATIVE NOW FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 26, 2017 (La Mesa) – Jessica McElfresh is an attorney who co-authored Measure U, the ballot measure approved by La Mesa voters to allow medical marijuana dispensaries to operate legally in the city.  Now she’s facing felony charges of conspiring to use flammable, volatile and toxic chemicals to extract hash oil from marijuana and sell it out of state. She is also accused of misleading investigators, helping her client hide illegal operations, and destroying evidence.


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ALPINE RESIDENTS SEEK HELP TO FIND SUSPECTS CAUGHT ON TAPE PLANTING FIRECRACKER UNDER CHILD’S WINDOW

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 25, 2017 (Alpine) – The Alpine Community Network (ACN) reports that on the morning of June 21st,  an Alpine resident found a large “fireworks” placed under a tree beneath a child’s window, where it could have caused major damage, injury or a fire.

Neighbors’ surveillance cameras reveal young men in a sedan got out and planted the lit firecracker intentionally, then sped off in the vehicle with other occupants. View two videos from different angles:  https://www.facebook.com/jill.deprizio/videos/10100949687765259/ https://www.facebook.com/jill.deprizio/videos/10100949687051689/


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FIRE NEAR MESA GRANDE RESERVATION THREATENS HOMES

 

Update:  Cal Fire has corrected the size of this fire to 46 acres based on more accurate mapping.  Evacuated residents have been allowed to return home.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alert Service

June 25, 2017 2:15 p.m. (Mesa Grande) – A brush fire burning in Cleveland National Forest has scorched 75 acres and is now threatening two homes, Cal Fire reports.  The blaze began on Black Canyon Road near the Mesa Grande Reservation, about a mile north of Lake Sutherland in Ramona.

The fire is burning at a moderate rate of spread and is zero percent contained. Cal Fire is battling the blaze along with U.S. Forest Service firefighters.  #BlackFire.

If you have photos, eyewitness reports or other information please email editor@eastcountymagazine.org and post in comments below.


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BORREGO SUN PUBLISHER NOT ON BOARD WHEN HIS PLANE BROKE APART ON LANDING

 

 

East County News Service

June 25, 2017 (Borrego) – A private plane owned by Borrego Sun publisher Patrick Meehan broke apart during what the pilot described as a “nice and soft” landing last week.  The incident forced closure of Palomar Airport for several hours.

Meehan was not on board and there were no injuries.


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MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE JULY 28 AT JULIAN TOWN HALL

 

 

East County News Service

June 25, 2017 (Julian) – The Julian Triangle Club invites you to help solve a hilarious crime at a murder mystery theater set for July 28th from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the historic Julian town hall ‘s lower level (2129 Main Street, Julian).  Dinner will be catered by Jeremy’s On the Hill.


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FIELD DAY FOR LAKESIDE AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

 

 

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Photo:  Rebecca Jefferis Williamson and Paul Rios by Anselmo Ruiz-Nevarez

June 25, 2017 (Lakeside) -- “You talk to Martians?”  That’s a question Lakeside Amateur Radio Club chairman KC6QLS said they have been asked. He and the club members were setting up, from antennas to canopies, for Field Day on June 23.   Field day is ham radio’s open house, so to speak, and runs from June 24-25.  KC6QLS followed up with the answer “They’re not answering.” Part and parcel for what they get asked.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: CHANGE THE CHEMISTRY ON THE ALPINE COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP

 

By M. Harris

Photo: Creative commons image by Amin Eshaiker, via Wikipedia

June 24, 2017 (Alpine) -- I am an Alpine resident who attended the Alpine Community Planning Group meetings in September 2016 and again in May 2017. What follows are some of my thoughts about both meetings.


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SAN DIEGO COUNTY WINES GET "BETTER AND BETTER"

 

Source:  Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

June 23, 2017 (Ramona) - San Diego County winemakers picked up a record number of 22 gold awards, including 5 double gold, for outstanding wine at the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) Awards Dinner for the 2017 Lum Eisenman Wine Competition held on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at the San Vicente Resort in Ramona, Calif.


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PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT UNITES PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE

 

 

By Rachel Williams

Video:  interview with homeless woman Lorraine Leighton

June 23, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Lorraine Leighton was among hundreds of homeless people who connected at Rock Church in El Cajon on June 2nd. More than 30 organizations offered health care and legal services for rebuilding a healthy, safe life.


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SDG&E ANNOUNCES PLANNED OVERNIGHT OUTAGE MONDAY IN SHELTER VALLEY AND PORTIONS OF JULIAN

 

 

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

June 23, 2017 (Julian-Shelter Valley) –  A planned power outage is scheduled  starting at 9 p.m. on Monday night,  June 26 through  6 a.m. on Tuesday morning, June 27 in the Shelter Valley area and the outskirts of Julian; a majority of the customers are in the eastern Julian area surrounding Banner Grade, SDG&E has announced.  Julian’s downtown historic district will not be affected.

The outage is needed to replace older power lines and equipment to make the system more weather- and fire-resilient. 

Below is the notice from SDG&E with full details for customers in the affected areas:


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FOURTH OF JULY FESTIVITIES IN EAST COUNTY

 

 

Updated with more special Independence Day events.

East County News Service

June19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Julian’s Fourth of July Parade, El Cajon’ Independence Day picnic with fireworks and the  Santee Salutes patriot celebration are cherished annual traditions in East County.  Below are details. If you know of an East County Fourth of July activity we’ve missed, please email editor@eastcountymagazine.rog and post details in our comments section below.


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LUAU IN LA MESA: NEXT BOULEVARD STROLL JULY 11

 

East County News Service

June 22, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Village Association invite you to the next Boulevard Stroll, which features a luau theme on July 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.  In addition to leis, music, art and specials at local merchants, participating restaurants are encouraged to serve up Hawaiian drinks or Happy Hour themed specials.

Activities confirmed so far include:


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TRAVEL + LEISURE CHOOSES RAMONA WINERY VINEYARD GRANT JAMES AS #2 WINERY IN U.S. TO VISIT

 

Source:  Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

June 22, 2017 (Ramona) --Travel + Leisure, a leading travel publication, recently named Vineyard Grant James, located in San Diego County’s Ramona Valley wine region, the number two winery in the United States in its list of “a few select vineyards around the country that go above and beyond to astound visitors.”


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RVVA WINES RECEIVE TOP AWARDS AT THE TOAST OF THE COAST WINE COMPETITION

 

Source:  Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

June 22, 2017 (Ramona) -- The Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) announced that a total of thirteen wines from six of its winery members received top awards from the sixth annual The Toast of the Coast Wine Competition. The competition is produced by the 22nd District Agricultural Association in conjunction with the San Diego County Fair. 


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RED SHOE DAY IN EL CAJON

 

By Robert Gehr

June 22, 2017 (El Cajon) -- This morning, volunteers were out and about all over San Diego County excitedly shouting out and collecting monetary donations for Ronald McDonald House, which helps families in need with housing, meals and so much more at no cost when their children are hospitalized due to illness or injury.


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PADRE DAM CUSTOMERS HIT WITH ANOTHER RATE HIKE

 

By Mike Allen

June 22, 2017 (Santee) -- Despite cutting their water use by nearly 30 percent over the past nine years, Padre Dam Water District customers were hit with another five years of higher rates by its board, which voted unanimously June 21 to trigger the new charges starting Nov. 1.


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CHA CHA’S SNAKE PIT CHALLENGE TO HELP THE HUNGRY: JUNE 24 AT GROSSMONT CENTER

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 22, 2017 (La Mesa)  -- Radio personality Cha Cha from106.7 FM will scale new heights –and slither in new depths—all to help the hungry. She’ll be broadcasting from inside an exotic jungle snake pit  at Grossmont Center’s courtyard on Saturday, June 24 starting at noon – and she won’t come out until at least 1,057 canned goods or dry food items are donated to help the Jacob and Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

You’re invited to face your fears and help fight hunger in our community. Bring canned or dry food items and hold a snake from the San Diego Reptile Association.  Post a picture of you overcoming your fears on Twitter or Instagram, and challenge others to do it too! Use the hashtag #SnakePitChallenge and tag 105.7 MAX FM. (Or skip the snake and just donate.)


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