East County News Service

May 31, 2016 (Julian) – You’re invited to grab your partner and mosey on up to Julian for the annual Julian Dance and Back Country Barbecue on Saturday, June 11^th from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Authorities seek public help to locate his killer, an unidentified Hispanic man

May 30, 2016 (Spring Valley) – Jeffrey Quirino, 17, died this morning at a hospital of stabbing injuries suffered May 23^rd in Spring Valley.  Family and friends held a candlelight vigil in his memory last night in Spring Valley.

East County News Service

May 30, 2016 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Community Planning Group has a vacancy.  Applications are due June 1^st at 6:30 p.m.  Qualified applicants may submit an application at the June 1^st LCPG meeting at the Lakeside Community Center (9841 Vine St., Lakeside).

East County News Service

Photo: (from left to right) Grossmont Healthcare District board member Rancy Lenac and City of El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells

May 30, 2016 (La Mesa) - The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host its upcoming First Friday Breakfast starting at 7:15 a.m., Friday, June 3, at Cottonwood Golf Club, 3121 Willow Glen Dr., El Cajon. It’s the Chamber’s annual breakfast featuring elected officials providing updates on East County cities. Confirmed speakers at press time include the mayors of El Cajon, Lemon Grove and Santee.

East County News Service

May 29, 2016 (Ramona) — In April 1862, the Battle of Shiloh was a key early victory for the Union Army during the Civil War.  On Memorial Day, May 30^th, Norm Case, co-owner of the Hatfield Creek Vineyards and Winery in Ramona, will be displaying the historic drum on which his great-great grandfather, Philo Case, played the long roll to begin the Battle of Shiloh.

East County News Service

May 27, 2016 (Dulzura) – A collision on State Route 94 near Lucky Six Truck Trail in Dulzura has left a man dead and three people injured, including an 8-year-old child.

Review by Kathy Carpenter, Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

May 26, 2016 (La Mesa) - Do you believe in second chances? Neil Simon’s plays are semi- biographical; for Simon, perfect love happened twice. In Chapter Two, it happens for George Schneider, who loses his wife an early death and Jennie Malone who married the wrong man.

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (La Mesa) – AP students at Grossmont High School recently researched Japanese-American students who attended Grossmont and the impact that the 1942 internment of program had on their lives.  Now the results of their efforts are on display in a special exhibit at the La Mesa Historical Society: May through September on the 2nd & 4th Saturday  from 1-4pm: “WWII Internment and the Japanese-American Students of Grossmont High School.”

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Boulevard) – A 24-year-old man died Saturday night, May 20^th after he lost control of his vehicle on I-8 West near McCain Valley Road in Boulevard. The Infinity G35 veered off the highway and rolled down a steep embankment.

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in Lemon Grove responded to reports of a structure fire in the 8000 block of Alton Drive around 8:30 this morning. Firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the windows of a duplex unit and a woman halfway out of a window at the rear of the duplex. 

But action comes too late for Grossmont Community Concert Association, set to hold its farewell concert June 15

By Jonathan Goetz

May 26, 2016 (El Cajon) - El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells promised “we are in the process of refurbishing the performing arts center and it will be open soon” in response to public comment at Tuesday’s City Council Meeting.

By Robert Gehr

Cover photo: Chase Avenue Elementary 'Mexican Ballet Folklorico'

May 26, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The 3^rd annual America on Main Street in El Cajon was a big hit with young and old alike!

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Santee)--The Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival draws over 30,000 visitors each year with patriotic fund for the whole family. The eight annual festival will be held this year on Saturday, May 28^th from 10a.m to 6 p.m. at Riverview Parkway and Town Center Parkway in Santee. The festival will feature local breweries and honor the military on the Heroes Stage.

Festival highlights include: a craft beer festival, live music and entertainment, a crafter row and artist alley, over 300 food and vendor booths, carnival rides, and games for the family. 

East County News Service

May 25, 2016 (El Cajon) – An Uber driver arrested for sexual assault in El Cajon in March now faces charges as a serial rapist. 

El Cajon Police have charged John David Sanchez, 52, with sexually assaulting five additional victims, including raping a 13-year-old child and raping an unconscious person.  Authorities believe those attacks occurred between 2011 and 2014 at Sanchez’s residence in San Diego.

By Wendy Sigler

Reprinted with permission from Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy

May 25, 2016 (Lakeside) --We've all heard of San Juan Capistrano's annual visitors, but do the swallows come back to San Diego as well? The answer is yes! Like their cousins from Capistrano, cliff swallows travel northward from South America each year to mate and nest. In doing so, they pass through our community and grace us with their chaotic, but beautiful nesting dance.