Communities

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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HEALTHCARE LIBRARY IN LA MESA WILL HOST FREE MEETING ON EATING RIGHT

 

 

East County News Service

 

January 9, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free program on “Easy Ways to Eating Right for a Healthy Body and Mind” from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 25. 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.


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SPRING VALLEY FIRE INJURES FOUR PEOPLE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Terri Steele

January 8, 2017 (Spring Valley) –Three people suffered minor burns and a fourth was treated for smoke inhalation from a fire at a home in the 10000 block of Don Pico Road in Spring Valley this afternoon, NBC TV reports.

“At about 12:10 today we heard a chorus of sirens immediately south of us, across the 94,” neighbor Terri Steele informed ECM, who shot these dramatic images from her back deck.


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AUTHORITIES SEEK OWNERS OF CREDIT CARDS, MAIL, GIFT CARDS AND OTHER SUSPECTED STOLEN ITEMS FOUND IN RECOVERED U-HAUL TRUCK IN ALPINE

 

East County News Service

January 8, 2017 (Alpine) – Authorities recovered a stolen U-Haul truck on Friday, filled with other stolen property.

An Alpine Sheriff’s deputy was patrolling the lot of a local casino and spotted the stolen U-Haul truck.  With help from casino security, the deputy located the truck’s two occupants, Kimberly White, 47, and Salomon Saenz, 60. 


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WOMAN’S BODY FOUND BY HIKER IN JAMUL

 

East County News Service

January 8, 2017 (Jamul) — A $1,000 reward is offered for help to solve the case of an unidentified woman found dead yesterday in the 15800 block of Skyline Truck Trail in Jamul.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and Rancho San Diego station are investigating the death as a possible homicide due to apparent trauma to the victim’s upper body.  She is estimated to be in her 40s or 50s.


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EX-LEMON GROVE MAYOR MISSED CAMPAIGN FILING DEADLINES, DRAWS FPPC NOTICE

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – The Fair Political Practices Commission published a notice of a possible $1,013 fine against Mary Sessom, former Lemon Grove Mayor for missing campaign filings and annual fees.  


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FIRE DESTROYS TRAILERFUL OF TRIPE ON I-8 IN ALPINE

 

East County News Service

January 7, 2016 (Alpine) – Overheated brakes caused a fire that engulfed a big-rig trailer laden with 10 tons of tripe on Interstate 8 west in Alpine yesterday shortly after 1:30 a.m.

The driver disconnected the refrigerated trailer and escaped safely with his dog, but flames scorched most of the beef tripe bound for a San Diego distribution center, California Highway Patrol has indicated.


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KEEPERS OF THE FAITH CONCERT JAN. 12

 

East County News Service

January 7, 2017 (El Cajon) - Keepers of the Faith, originally from Hawaii, currently residing in Seattle, WA. will be in concert next Thursday, January 12.  These “boys” have been redeemed from a life of crime and decided to share their testimony via music.  


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EL CAJON PLANS FOR NEARLY 5,000 NEW HOMES

 

Public comment deadline is January 19

By Mike Allen

January 6, 2017 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon is making plans to create nearly 5,000 new homes through a rezoning program that would amend zoning in four areas of the city, enabling formerly commercial properties to include future residential units.


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HELP NEEDED FOR COUPLE SERIOUSLY INJURED CHRISTMAS EVE, WITH BABY ON THE WAY

 

Update 1/4/17: Sierra has had a setback; she was slated for release but had breathing difficulties so her breathing tube has been reinserted. 

By Miriam Raftery

December 31, 2016 (El Cajon) – A Go Fund Me site has been set up to help a young couple from El Cajon seriously injured in a car accident  on Christmas Eve that occurred when a driver pulled out of a side street in front of them in El Cajon; the impact spun their vehicle around 180 degrees. 

Reuben DeHoyos Jr., 19, and his girlfriend, Sierra Marco, 17. were rushed to Sharp Memorial Hospital’s trauma with major injuries.  They both face 6-12 months of recovery, are unable to work, have large medical bills not fully covered by insurance and they are expecting a baby.


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JV BOYS BASKETBALL: EAST COUNTY EAGLES CAN'T SURVIVE SLAUGHTER FROM SOUTH COUNTY EAGLES

 

Story and photos by Liz Alper

January 4, 2017 (El Cajon) - In their second game back from winter break, the JV boys basketball Eagles of Granite Hills took the court against the other Eagles, the ones from Olympian High in Chula Vista in round one of the Wolfpack Shootout.


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LA MESA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL HOST BREAKFAST WITH SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB

 

Source: La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

File photo: Jacob meets with constituents in Dulzura

January 3, 2017 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host County Supervisor Dianne Jacob for its first breakfast meeting of the year starting at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Marie Callender’s restaurant, 6950 Alvarado Road, San Diego.


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