Communities

COUNTY ADDS MORE SANDBAG PICKUP SITES

 

East County News Service

January 18, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - The heaviest rains of the winter—and maybe the heaviest in several years—set to soak our region over the next several days, bringing flash flooding and erosion problems.


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CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’: THE STORY OF MIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION JANUARY 28

 

East County News Service

January 18, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association will present a three-part program titled “California Dreamin’” on the story of migration and immigration.  All three parts will be presented on Saturday, January 28th and will encompass the history of the early Californians, Western women, and the impacts of immigration on Native Americans.


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MINTO, THE DEAL MAKER: NEW MAYOR SHARES HIS VISION FOR SANTEE

 

By Mike Allen

January 17, 2017 (Santee) -- Santee Mayor John Minto says he’s big on creating deals to share the costs his city must bear for essential services such as police and fire, as well as community meeting places.


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VIDEO OF THE MONTH: COYOTES IN EAST COUNTY

 

Video, photo and story by Billy Lakeside Ortiz

View video of coyote hunting and howling:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj55X4oHj40

January 17, 2017 (Lakeside) -- Not all coyotes are a nuisance, in fact where there is open land they can thrive without ever setting paw in your yard. If a habitat has all the right elements--grasses, mice, gopher, rabbits and a few other rodent types--the coyote has all it needs to live long and bear young.


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END OF AN ERA: ANTHONY’S FISH GROTTO ON EMBARCADERO OFFERS DRAWINGS AND SPECIALS IN FINAL 2 WEEKS; LA MESA ANTHONY’S TO REMAIN OPEN

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2017 (La Mesa) – Anthony’s Fish Grotto on the Embarcadero has been a fixture on San Diego’s waterfront for 70 years.  For many San Diego County residents, it’s long been a go-to place for special occasions from prom nights to wedding anniversaries.


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BOYS BASKETBALL: FOOTHILLERS TRAMPLE MONARCHS 69-53

 

Do you have a son or daughter that plays a sport at a level other than varsity?  Drop a line on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 17, 2017 (Spring Valley) - The struggling Monte Vista Monarchs varsity boys basketball team looked to gain some momentum back against the Foothillers of Grossmont tonight.


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CAMPO LAKE MORENA PLANNING GROUP MEETING JAN. 23 INCLUDES DISCUSSION OF SEWER RATE HIKES, LOW-FLYING HELICOPTERS AND FILLING VACANCY ON BOARD

 

January 17, 2017 (Campo) -- Proposed sewer rate hikes and low-flying Navy helicopters are among the items slated for discussion at the Campo Lake Morena Planning Group's meeting on Monday, January 23 at 7 p.m.  The meeting will be in the Mountain Epire Community Center at 976 Sheridan Rd. in Campo.

The planning group will also elect officers and review applicants to fill a vacancy for Seat 7.  If you're interested in applying,  contact Chairman Billie Jo Jannen at (619)415-6298.

The public is encouraged to attend and speak on any agenda item, or on other area land use issues during public discussion.

View full preliminary agenda


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LAUREL AND HARDY SAPS AT SEA MEETING JAN. 28

 

East County News Service

January 17, 2017 (Spring Valley) - What better way to kick off 2017 than with Laurel & Hardy?  The Saps at Sea, the local Laurel & Hardy fan club, begins its 39th year with a meeting on Saturday, January 28 at Williams Halls at Trinity Church in Spring Valley.


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GIRLS SOCCER: CENTURIONS WIN BATTLE OF MYTHOLOGY AGAINST NORSEMEN OF VALHALLA

 

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Do you have a son or daughter that plays a sport at a level other than varsity?  Drop a line on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 16, 2017 (El Cajon) - Even though it was Martin Luther King Day, the Valhalla Norsemen varsity girls’ soccer team was in action against the Centurions of University City High.  It was the Norsemen’s last non-conference game before conference play.


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LANE CLOSURES TUESDAY NIGHT ON STATE ROUTE 67 AND HIGHLAND VALLEY ROAD

 

Source: Caltrans

January 16, 2017 (San Diego) - Caltrans crews will close lanes on State Route 67 (SR-67) and Highland Valley Road at the SR-67 Dye Road/Highland Valley Road intersection in Ramona on Tuesday from 7 p.m.-5 a.m. The lane closures are need for temporary striping and K-rail placement.


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SANTEE COUNCIL SEEKS APPLICANTS TO FILL VACANCY: COUNCIL DIVIDED OVER OPTIONS

 

By Mike Allen

January 15, 2017 (Santee) -- The Santee City Council is seeking a fifth member to fill out the two years remaining on Mayor John Minto’s term after he was elected in November, vacating his Council seat. At the Council’s January 11th meeting, the four members decided to appoint Minto’s successor rather than hold a special election that was deemed too costly.


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TENANT SHOT BY LANDLORD IN EL CAJON

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2017 (El Cajon) – Michael McGinley, 53, has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon after shooting his tenant, Glen Reese, 48, in the leg.  The altercation occurred January 12 at 10:20 a.m. at 10140 Valle De Paz Road in unincorporated El Cajon.


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NEW DYNAMICS OF THE 2017 EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL

 

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis and El Cajon’s liaisons from County Mental Health

January 12, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Formerly operating in lock-step unison, the El Cajon City Council picked up two businessmen in the 2016 elections, one supported by neither political party and one supported by the party previously shut-out.


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HELIX WATER SEEKS CANDIDATES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS: APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED JANUARY 19-26

 

East County News Service

January 12, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Helix Water District’s board of directors voted unanimously at their January 11, 2017 meeting to consider candidates for appointment to the Division 1 board seat left vacant by the resignation of Luis Tejeda.

The candidate appointed by the Board will represent Helix’s Division 1 customers, north of the I‐8 freeway in El Cajon, from Fletcher Hills to Bostonia (see map).


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EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS HIT BY DEBIT, CREDIT CARD SKIMMING SCAMS AT CONVENIENCE STORES

 

By Miriam Raftery; Thea Skinner contributed to this report

January 12, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Numerous local residents say that after using their debit cards inside a Circle K store in La Mesa, thieves attempted to withdraw money from their bank accounts.  Similar scams have been used recently at other local gas stations and convenience stores. 


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DESPITE RAINS, THREE EAST COUNTY RESERVOIRS REMAIN AT VERY LOW LEVELS

 

Dam upgrades slated to begin at Lake Morena in 2018, but there’s no guarantee water levels will ever be restored

By Miriam Raftery

January 12, 2017 (Lake Morena) --  Even after heavy rainfalls doused our region,  three East County Reservoirs remain at very low levels.  As of January 9th, Lake Morena is at  just 2.1 percent of capacity, Barrett Lake is att 5.5 percent, and Sutherland 7.3 percent of capacity, according to the City of San Diego.

These are the only local reservoirs not connected to the State Water Project system of canals and aqueducts, thus they are solely dependent on rainfall  which has not been enough to replenish large quantities pumped out by the City of San Diego to meet its thirst for water.


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SHERIFF HOSTS COFFEE WITH COMMUNITY JAN. 25 IN LEMON GROVE

 

Source: San Diego Sheriff

January 12, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Sheriff's Substation is holding a Coffee with the Community on Wednesday, January 25th from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Lemon Grove Community Center, Lemon Grove Community Center, at 3146 School Lane in Lemon Grove.


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ALL ABOUT WORMS: VERMICOMPOSTNG WORKSHOP AT JACUMBA LIBRARY JAN. 24

 

East County News Service

January 12, 2017 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Vermicomposting (worm composting) is an environmentally-friendly way to turn your food waste into nutrient rich castings for your plants or garden beds. Learn all about how easy it is to compost your food waste with red wriggler worms at an interactive presentation on Tuesday, January 24 at 12:30 p.m. in the Jacumba Branch Library (44605 Old Highway 80 in Jacumba.).  Map | Website


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RAMONA’S WINEMAKING COMES OF AGE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

Photos, left:  Bill Schweitzer, Ramona Valley Vineyards Association cofounder and past president at Highland  Hills Winery; Pamo Valley Tasting Room on Holiday Wine Tour

January 8, 2017 (Ramona) –“2016 is going to be our greatest vintage so far. Everybody says it came in perfect,” says Bill Schweitzer, cofounder of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) in 2002,  and a driving force in attaining an American Viticulture Area (AVA) designation for Ramona back in 2006.  That’s due to the ideal combination of heat, rains and drought years—as well as years of efforts by local vintners now savoring the fruits of their labors.

Sipping wine on the sunny patio at Highland Valley Winery during the Holiday Wine Trail event in December, he reflected that back in 2001,  Ramona had just one winery (Schwaesdall) and 20 vineyards growing grapes.  Today, there are at least 29 wineries in Ramona, soon to be 35, and 150 vineyards.


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MEET MAYOR MINTO JAN. 17 AT SANTEE CHAMBER MIXER

 

East County News Service

January 12, 2017 (Santee) – Santee’s Mayor Minto,  newly elected in November, will be the featured speaker at the Santee Chamber of Commerce mixer on January 17th at 7:30 a.m. at Mimi’s Café (9812 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee).


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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: NORTHERN VISITOR

 

January 12, 2017 (Lakeside) -- Canada Geese have become frequent winter visitors in San Diego's East County,  sometimes lingering year-round.  This one cruised in for a landing at Lake Jennings in Lakeside, photographed by our editor, Miriam Raftery.


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HUNTER, ISSA VOTE TO ALLOW GIVEAWAYS OF FEDERAL LANDS

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Cedar Creek Falls in Cleveland National Forest, located in San Diego’s East County

January 8, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego Republicans Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa joined with the House Majority in voting for a rules change would allow giveaway of federal lands to states, local governments, or tribes.  Potentially, such giveaways could include national parks such as Yosemite or the Grand Canyon. It also encompasses all other public lands; here in San Diego these include Cleveland National Forest, federal recreation areas and national wildlife preserves.


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DUMANIS FINDS FOUR MORE FATAL SHOOTINGS BY OFFICERS WERE JUSTIFIED

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – In addition to exonerating an El Cajon Police officer who fatally shot Alfred Olango in a case that drew national publicity, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis today announced that her office will not file charges in four other officer-involved fatal shootings.


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D.A. EXONERATES EL CAJON POLICE OFFICER WHO SHOT OLANGO; CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER AND FAMILY VOICE OUTRAGE

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2017 (El Cajon) – San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis today announced that her office has exonerated El Cajon Police Officer Richard Gonsalves and will not file charges over the shooting of Alfred Olango.


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HUSBAND OF DEAD JAMUL WOMAN WAS ACQUITTED OF DOUBLE-MURDER IN PAST

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2017 (Jamul) – Winnie Perry Whitby, the husband of Melissa Whitby, whose dead body was found with upper body trauma on a trail near their Jamul home on Saturday, has previously been charged with murdering two men in Maryland over two decades ago, but was acquitted by a jury.


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MAN ARRESTED AFTER SHOTS FIRED IN SPRING VALLEY

 

East County News Service

January 10, 2017 (Spring Valley) – Last night shortly after 10 p.m., deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station responded to calls of gunshots heard in the 1100 block of Jamacha Lane in Spring Valley.


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DEAD GOATS FOUND; 52 MORE RESCUED IN JAMUL

 

 

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 9, 2017 (Jamul) - More than four dozen goats are now in the care of County Animal Services after being rescued Monday from a property in Jamul.

Animal control officers went to the property after receiving reports of several dead goats. When the officers arrived, they found nine dead goats. The investigation is still underway, but officers suspect the animals starved to death. The officers found dozens more goats that were thin or severely underweight.


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47 DOGS IMPOUNDED FROM JAMUL HOME

 

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications

January 9, 2017 (Jamul) -- Nearly four dozen dogs were taken from a home in east Jamul in the last week after County Animal Services investigated complaints about an excessive number of dogs on the property.


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OLAF WIEGHORST MUSEUM NOW FEATURES SALMAGUNDI MEMBERS JAN. 9

 

East County News Service

January 9, 2017 (El Cajon) - The Olaf Wieghorst Museum at the Wieghorst Western Heritage Center, 131 Rea Ave., El Cajon, will present “Salmagundians and their Southern California Friends,” an exhibit featuring about 90 paintings created by 18 plein air artists, including two East County residents who are members of the Salmagundi Club. The exhibit runs Jan. 9 to March 3.


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BODY FOUND IN JAMUL IDENTIFIED AS MELISSA WHITBY: DEATH WAS HOMICIDE

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 9, 2017 (Jamul) — The County Medical Examiner has identified a body found in Jamul on Saturday as Melissa Whitby, a Jamul resident.  She was reported missing December 31st by her husband, Winnie Whitby.   There was upper body trauma and cause of death has been determined to be a homicide.


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