East County News Service

May 11, 2016 (Lakeside) -- Lake Jennings will hold its greatly anticipated Catfish Opener on Friday, May 27th. The lake will open at 4 p.m. instead of the usual 6 a.m., and will close at midnight. 2,000 lbs. of catfish will be stocked for this event.

Source:  La Mesa Chamber of Commerce press release

May 10, 2016 (La Mesa) --The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces that the 8th Annual “Taste of La Mesa” will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa. The public is invited to sample fare from many local restaurants and other food providers.

East County News Service

May 10, 2016 (La Mesa) - The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host “Be Sun Smart,” a free presentation on skin care and safety from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25. The program is part of the library’s Wellness Wednesday series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. Advance RSVP is not necessary. Speaking will be Tina Mirpuri, care director with Synergy HomeCare of La Mesa, a franchised home care company.

East County News Service

May 10, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Aaron Spaulding, a 31-year-old La Mesa man has been arrested and charged with elder abuse of his 78-year-old neighbor. The incident prompted a stand-off with Sheriff’s deputies at the family’s home on Alta Mira Drive near Mount Helix for several hours Monday night.

East County News Service

May 8, 2016 (Julian) -- The California Old Time Fiddlers Association invites you to the Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest on Saturday and Sunday, June 4^th and 5^th plus a Saturday night performance by two two-time National Fiddle champions. There’s also a warmup workshop on Friday June 3^rd led by a national Grand Fiddle champions.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

May 7, 2016 (El Cajon) – The Odd Couple is a case of opposing personalities coming together.and trying to work things out. The original movie was in 1968, starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.  I can hardly believe it was so long ago. In 1970 they made the television series with Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, also a classic. Recently came the remake with Brian Cebrain as Felix and Matthew Perry as Oscar. Although I have only seen a couple of shows, it was also quite funny.

Update: The deceased has been identified as 18-year-old James Will, a Mountain Empire football star, East County Sports reports.

By Miriam Raftery

May 7, 2016 (La Posta) — A Campo man driving a 2004 Acura TSX was reported missing yesterday at 12:30 p.m. to the California Highway Patrol and Sheriff  after failing to reach his destination in Pine Valley, where he planned to pick up his great-grandmother at 6 a.m. yesterday morning. 

East County News Service

May 5, 2016 (La Mesa) — La Mesa Police tried to stop a vehicle for an equipment violation in the Costco Parking lot this morning, but the suspect put his Toyota Camry into reverse quickly, causing officers to have to jump out of the way, according to an police. He fled, leading officers on a brief pursuit before he got out of the vehicle and ran behind businesses along Fletcher Parkway.

East County News Service

May 5, 2016 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The Jacumba Hot Springs Blues Festival on May 14^th from 1-8 p.m. will feature blues, brews and barbeque—as well as live music, vendors, kids’ activities and an art council raffle.

East County News Service

May 5, 2016 (San Diego) - The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,300-member trade group for San Diego-area realtors, will provide free paper shredding and electronic recycling services from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, May 13, at PSAR’s East County Service Center, 1150 Broadway, El Cajon. The event is open to the public.

East County News Service

May 3, 2016 (Warner Springs) – Extensive vandalism forced closure today of the entire Warner Unified School District complex, which includes elementary through high school classrooms as well as district offices.  The district's website states it hopes to reopen soon and will notify parents when children can return to school.

A maintenance worker arriving at work Wednesday morning discovered the damage, which included graffiti, broken windows, classrooms ransacked, furniture overturned and fire extinguishers discharged.  The worker called  Sheriff’s deputies at 5:15 a.m.

By Miriam Raftery

May 2, 2016 (Boulevard) – Jacumba Solar, Tule Wind, a county presentation on groundwater monitoring, updates on lawsuits over big energy projects and discussion of Live Oak Springs water rate hikes are among the many important items on the Boulevard Planning Group’s agenda for its meeting Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. in the Boulevard Fire Training Room (39923 Ribbonwood Road in Boulevard). For the full agenda, click here. For highlights, scroll down.

East County News Service

May 1, 2016 (Santee) -- B. W. "Stoney" Stone, also known as “Mr. East County” of Santee, passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, April 20, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Source: County News Service

See video of reunion on KNSD

Photo: As a result of the region's first Identify the Missing event, Randy Gatewood, missing for 10 years from his family, has been found by his brother Gene Gatewood, at right.

April 30, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- He once was lost, but now is found.

By Tom and Colleen Taylor

April 29, 2016 (Alpine) - We are in the beginning stages of forming an art league here in Alpine.  We want to meet with local artists who are interested in becoming active in the community by participating in open studios as well as art shows.  We have already reserved www.alpineartleague.org and will be designing that website shortly through FASO (Fine Art Studios Online).  If you would like more information on us, please visit our current website at www.carefreefineartstudio.com or feel free to contact us at 619-609-8304.