East County News Service

June 20, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) is hosting a Veterans Town Hall to establish a greater understanding between local veterans and the friends and neighbors they fought for.  The town hall will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery, East County News Service

June 16, 2017 (Lakeside)-- Helix Water District (HWD) received a long-anticipated $8 million check on June 16th, officially marking the end of a six-year legal dispute over a 460-acre parcel of land the water agency owned in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley. The land sale is the result of a 2014 court settlement between Helix Water District and the El Capitan Golf Club (now known as El Monte Nature Preserve LLC). 

The payment is good news for customers of the Helix Water District, where hefty rate hikes to balance budgets led to a ratepayer revolt and ouster of two incumbent board members last election.  But the final payment dashes hopes of El Monte Valley residents and Lakeside community planners opposed to El Monte Nature Preserve’s proposed   sand mining operation to extract 18 million tons of sand over 15 years from the El Monte Valley on the site.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Michael Johnson volunteered to lead cleanup efforts to keep shooting range open on public land.

June 16, 2017 (Jamul) -- A fire alarm going off at the Oak Grove Middle School, where the Jamul Dulzura Community Planning Group held its June 13th meeting, provided a jarring start to the session at which fire danger was top of mind for many present. 

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

June 19, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - With high temperatures expected to hover around 120 degrees in eastern San Diego County desert areas through the middle of next week, County health officials are reminding the public to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses and pay extra attention to children, elderly and pets.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Mark Raftery celebrates Father's Day with tri-tip and sangria at Ramona Ranch Winery

June 18, 2017 (Ramona) – What could bring a smile to Dads more than savoring grilled tri-tip, wine and sangria on a canopied hilltop terrace?  Ramona Ranch Winery provided this idyllic setting, drawing a crowd for Father’s Day this afternoon despite  a pre-summer heat wave.

Source: Sharp Grossmont Hospital

June 17, 2017 (La Mesa) - The Senior Resource Center at Sharp Grossmont Hospital offers free educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources. For more information, call 619-740-4214. For other programs, call 1-800-827-4277 or visit our web site at www.sharp.com.

East County News Service

June 17, 2017 (Boulevard) – Anthony Saldana, 29, has been arrested after a rampage at a home in the 3400 block of Crestwood Road in Boulevard.  Fox 5 news reports that the 85-year-old homeowner spotted the suspect trying to steal his car around 4 a.m. and ordered him to leave.   

East County News Service

June 17, 2017 (Alpine) - This is an opportunity to be a part of Alpine’s history by purchasing a Commemorative Tile that will be displayed at the Historic Town Hall.

The tiles measure 4 x 4 inches and the cost is $250 per tile. On your tile you can have your name, children’s names, business name, dedicate a memorial tile for a loved one, or just be imaginative. The proceeds from the sale of these tiles go to the maintenance of the Town Hall.

New law goes into effect July 7; summer concerts and movies in parks to begin soon

Source:  East County Community Change Project

June 17, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- Alcohol and marijuana are about to be prohibited at Lemon Grove’s eight city parks, just in time for summer family fun, according to city officials. The city council voted unanimously in May to take local control and make parks off limits to the use of marijuana in any form and all alcohol. While California’s new law under Prop. 64 makes recreational marijuana use legal for adults over 21, it is not legal to do so in public places. The council thought it was important enough to include it in the law.

East County News Service

June 17, 2017 (Ramona) – Ramona Ranch Winery invites you to savor a relaxing afternoon on their terrace, where they will treat you to a special Father’s Day menu prepared by John Little Catering this Sunday, June 18^th from 12 to 5 p.m.  Your feast includes grilled tri-tip with savory baked beans, corn on the cob, artisan bread and garden salad.

Also enjoy live music by singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player Alyssa Walker from 2 to 5 p.m.

Winners named in annual Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest

Source:  Helix Water District

June 16, 2017 (Santee) - Have you ever imagined the beauty of intense light sparkling from a rippled lake surface?  Or the majesty of birds in flight, riding a cool breeze just inches above a glass-smooth body of water?  Twenty-four photographers captured these images and many more and entered them in Helix Water District’s Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest.     

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (Lakeside) - The Barona Cultural Center & Museum invites kids in grades K-2 and their parents to listen to the book Way Out in the Desert and take an exciting musical tour of the Sonoran Desert as part of the latest Keyip! Kechuw! (Listen! Make!) Native American themed story time and craft event on Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Keyip! Kechuw! is a free monthly program designed to inspire young children to read, have fun learning, and get creative. The events are held at the Lakeside Library located at 9839 Vine Street.

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (Spring Valley) – The Sheriff’s SWAT team and Rancho San Diego Crime Suppression Team, along with Sheriff’s deputies, served a search warrant at the Cookie Club Collective marijuana dispensary at 8783 Troy Street in Spring Valley. The warrant was the result of numerous complaints from concerned citizens about the illegal dispensary, says Sergeant Matt Cook.

First 100 Campout participants to pack 10,000 meals benefitting a local organization

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Franchise owner Rick Preciado will open the La Mesa Chick-fil-A restaurant on June 22, bringing 100 new jobs and the chance for the first 100 eligible adults to win free Chick-fil-A for a year while also packaging 10,000 meals for the hungry as they count down to the opening.

By Miriam Raftery

June 14, 2017 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino and Resort has lined up chart-toppers from every genre, past and present for its summer-long open air concerts in the park.  The season opens with country music superstar sensation Martina McBride on July 3^rd.