By Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson 

May 20, 2017 (Santee) - Between a rock and a Facebook group public page, anyone visiting Santee may, by design or not, find a rock--painted rocks to be exact.  Here’s how the current rock hunt got started. 

East County News Service

May 19, 2017 (Santee) -- The Heartland Coin Club presents the Heartland Summer Coin Show on Saturday, June 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Santee.  Learn how to start your own coin collection, or add new coins to your existing collection.  You’ll find  plenty of U.S. and foreign coins, antique coins, and currency—plus dealers will be present to buy, sell and appraise coins.

Source: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

May 18, 2017 (Santee) - Padre Dam Municipal Water District received regulatory conceptual approvals for the East County Advanced Water Purification Program from the California State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water. Additionally, the State Water Resources Control Board awarded Padre Dam $116.2 million as part of the Proposition 1 (Prop 1) Water Recycling Funding Program. 

East County News Service

May 18, 2017 (El Cajon) - The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College will host its second Customer Appreciation Day on Sunday, May 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The winners of the 2017 Landscape Contest will be recognized.

By Mike Allen

May 18, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - Padre Dam Municipal Water District, already charging among the highest water rates in the nation, is proposing yet another five-year rate increase that officials say is necessary to maintain the agency’s services.

By Miriam Raftery

May 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Pursuit of Marvin Peeples, a suspect reportedly violating a restraining order in Lemon Grove yesterday, led to a deputy’s vehicle became involved in a collision in San Diego before the suspect was ultimately arrested.

East County News Service

May 16, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host “All About Peripheral Neuropathy,” a free program on the causes, symptoms and treatments for this nerve disorder, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 24. The program is part of the library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. Advance RSVP is not necessary. Handouts will be available.

By Miriam Raftery

May 14, 2017 (Jamul) – Wineries from along the emerging Highway 94 wine corridor  served up fruits of their labors at the Jamul Wine Festival April 29^th at St. St. Pius X Catholic Church in Jamul,  all to benefit building classrooms for local children.  Guests also savored an abundant array of delicious foods,  bid on unique silent auction items,  enjoyed live music, a presentation with wine tasting tips, and more.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to showcase the Vineyards and Wineries in Jamul and to make our Festival the first of many to come,” said Gary Gorton with the Knights Council 9659 at the church.

By Julie Pendray

May 15, 2017 (Alpine) -- In the latest move to get Grossmont Unified High School District (GUHSD) to build a high school in Alpine, appeals have been filed in the Fourth Appellate Court in San Diego, with oral arguments expected late summer to early next year.

Alpine Union School District (AUSD) and Alpine Taxpayers for Bond Accountability (ATBA) are disputing a 2016 decision by a trial judge who found that Grossmont is not mandated to construct the Alpine school because an enrollment trigger of 23,245 students in the Grossmont district had not been reached “at the time of release of request for construction bids.”

East County News Service

Ramona's Dye & Highland Valley Intersection to be Impacted

May 13, 2017 (Ramona) -- Lane closures with one-way traffic will impact State Route 67 at the Dye Road/Highland Valley Road intersection in Ramona on Sunday, May 14, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and next week during overnight hours from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. rom Monday night, May 15, to Friday morning, May 19.

East County News Service

May 12, 2017 (Alpine) -- "Casino Royale at the Ranch" at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine will be Saturday, May 20 from 3-7 p.m.  Besides exotic cats and bears, this event will have entertainment for the whole family, featuring the 2017 Funniest Person in San Diego winner James Schrader, and the “most exciting Elvis-themed entertainment on the planet” James Kruk, plus The Big Boss Men.  

Source: City of La Mesa

May 12, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Applications are now being accepted for volunteer positions on the City’s boards and commissions. The deadline for submission of applications is 5:30 p.m., Monday, May 22, 2017, in the City Clerk’s office at La Mesa City Hall, 8130 Allison Avenue. Applications may be obtained at City Hall or from the City of La Mesa website, www.cityoflamesa.us.

East County News Service

May 12, 2017 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to come out and enjoy the line-up of local bands at La Mesa’s “Sundays at Six” free summer concert series each Sunday night from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. from June 11-July 23.

By Jonathan Goetz

May 12, 2017 (El Cajon) – After inviting the public to submit redistricting maps and hiring a consultant to advise the city as it moves toward district elections instead of citywide elections for all council members, the options have been narrowed to five maps.  Three of the five maps square Councilman Ben Kalasho off against Councilman Gary Kendrick by putting them in the same City Council District.  Four of the five maps put Councilman Bob McClellan and Councilman Steve Goble in the same district.  Below are the maps and descriptions of each proposal.

Source:  Anza-Borrego Foundation

May 11, 2017 (Borrego Springs) — The Anza-Borrego Foundation (ABF), official partner of Anza-Borrrego Desert State Park, has named Sara Husby, executive director of Tuleyome, as new executive director of ABF. She succeeds Paige Rogowski, who is manager of the Cooperating Association Program at California State Parks. Husby will take office June 12.