By Judy Moore

April 8, 2017 (El Cajon) --  Friends of East County Arts, Inc., supporting the arts in East County since 1984, will present “Blooming Fashions” show at the El Cajon Elks Club #1812 on  Saturday, May 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Panel of experts and neighborhood organizing to follow showing of “Indoctrinated, the Grooming of Child Prostitutes” by Lemon Grove filmmaker Jim Ellis

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society

April 8, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- Right here, right now, in our town...tough though it is to think of Lemon Grove as a haven for human sex traffickers, it is. This heinous crime is alive in our town. Predators are after our girls and boys. This, in a town where every neighborhood is anchored by a public school and volunteerism has been a tradition since 1890.

La Mesa to vote April 11 on resolution to oppose AB 805

By Miriam Raftery

April 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Elected leaders in numerous local cities are gearing up to oppose a state bill that critics warn weaken the voices and voting power of smaller cities on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), as well as the Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District.  The bill gives more power to the city of San Diego, which critics contend will mean not enough clout by representatives from the county or other cities in the region to pass, block, or even place items on the agenda.

By Miriam Raftery

April 7, 2017 (Ramona) –Joanne Bennett and her daughter, Paige Duffy, have a passion for baking authentic English pastries, from classics with a modern twist to a lemon curd recipe dating back over 100 years from the family’s roots on London’s east side.  Together, the mother-daughter duo opened their London Bakery in Ramona (632 Main St.) with the slogan “food fit for a Queen.” 

Both have been stricken with major medical conditions and are facing healthcare staggering bills as they struggle to keep their business open.  So an employee has organized a fundraiser tomorrow at the bakery from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The public is urged to stop in, buy some goodies, and if possible, make a donation.

East County News Service

April 7, 2017 (Flinn Springs) - The Alpine Kiwanis Club invites the public to attend the 27th Annual Vintage Alpine fundraiser held from 1 - 4 p.m. on May 7, hosted by the nonprofit Kiwanis Club of Alpine Foundation, Inc. This "Wine Experience in the Country" will take place within the lovely gardens of Summers Past Farms at 15602 Old Highway 80 in Flinn Springs.

Company’s farm manager sexually bullied female farmworkers and fired workers who complained of widespread abuse, federal agency charges

East County News Service

April 7, 2017 (San Diego) – Bornt & Sons, Inc., its former farm labor contractor Barraza Farm Service, LLC and Barraza Farm Service, Inc. violated federal laws by allowing ongoing sexual harassment of female farmworkers, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed this week. Bornt & Sons and Barraza also unlawfully retaliated against workers who opposed the harassment and against family members of victims, the EEOC alleged.

East County News Service

April 7, 2017 (Lakeside) -- The 53rd Annual Lakeside Rodeo brings the exciting action of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to the Lakeside Arena April 28th, 29th & 30th, with four full rodeo performances featuring the seven events of rodeo: bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, barrel racing (WPRA), tie down roping, and team roping.

East County News Service

April 7, 2017 (Lakeside) - Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for the betterment of our community? A friend, family member, or associate who loves Lakeside and is actively involved in doing their part to volunteer and lend a helping hand? If you do, then the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce wants to hear from you.

East County News Service

April 5, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Shortly before 1 p.m. this afternoon, deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s patrol station responded to reports of shots fired at an occupied vehicle in the 3900 block of Kempf Avenue.

By Miriam Raftery

April 5, 2017 (El Cajon) - Habitat for Humanity San Diego has applied for a planning permit, general plan amendment and zone reclassification to build five affordable, single-family detached homes in El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Screenshot, NBC 7

April 4, 2017 (Santee) – At a special meeting this week, Santee’s City Council voted to authorize spending up to a half million dollars to repair sinkholes that threatened to undermine several homes on East Hartland Circle and Ryder Court.

East County News Service

April 4, 2017 (Lakeside) – Activists seeking to save El Monte Valley from a proposed sand mining operation are raising money for a legal battle. On Monday, April 17 from 5-10 p.m., a benefit will be held at Eastbound Bar and Grill, 10553 Maine Ave. in Lakeside.

By Miriam Raftery

End of recall effort means district will proceed with cancelling Cal Fire contract in July and return to free-standing status

April 3, 2017 (Spring Valley) – A petition to recall three members of the San Miguel Consolidated Fire District board  has been axed by Registrar of Voters Michael Vu for failing to comply with formatting requirements. The proponent, Robert Cederdahl, a former member of the board in the 1990s, did not submit amended forms by deadline, so the recall effort is up in smoke before any petitions were circulated for signatures.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Photo:  Drummer Chase Richard with the band Horsefly

April 2, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Punked on April 1^st? Was it by punk music? Metal? Or grunge? That music was celebrated at WE68 Radio’s 5^th anniversary festival held at Spring Valley’s The Bancroft on April Fool’s Day.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Screenshot, NBC  7

April 1, 2017 (Santee) – The Santee City Council will hold a special meeting in April 3^rd at 2 p.m. to consider a resolution proclaiming an emergency in order to authorize immediate repair of certain corrugated metal pipe storm drain systems that have caused major sinkholes that threaten to undermine homes.  The sinkholes are located on East and West Hartland Circle and Ryder Court.