By Miriam Raftery

December 23, 2016 (El Cajon) — An El Cajon Police offered suffered a minor injury after he was struck by the door of a vehicle driven by a fleeing suspect.

Last night at 8:06 p.m., officers responded to a report of a person sleeping behind the wheel of a vehicle in a strip mall parking lot in the 100 block of North Second Street. 

Sheriff warns of snow jams

Readers, send us your snow photos! editor@eastcountymagazine.org

East County News Service

December 22, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – A winter storm in the region is dropping heavy rain across our region, with snow forecast to dip down to 3,500 feet by Saturday. That includes Pine Valley, Descanso,  and Julian,  with  six inches or more possible atop Mt Laguna.

Strong winds of 60 miles per hour or more are expected in some mountain areas.

The Sheriff offers this advice if you plan to visit these areas:

Source: City of El Cajon

December 21, 2016 (El Cajon) --Newly elected El Cajon City Councilmember Steve Goble and the El Cajon Police Department are hosting a “Free Christmas Tree” giveaway this Friday, December 23rd.

These free Christmas trees will be given out from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Cartwright Pest Control, located at 1376 Broadway in El Cajon.   There will be 150 trees, up to 8’ tall and some will include flocking.  The trees will be given out first come, first serve, while supplies last.

East County News Service

December 17, 2016 (El Cajon) - The Cajon Valley Education Foundation is holding its annual “Breakfast with Santa” event on Monday, December 19, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Black Angus restaurant, 1000 Graves Avenue in El Cajon. Pajamas welcome! 

By Miriam Raftery

December 16, 2016 (Descanso) — This morning, the body of a 23-year-old woman was found near a Lexus vehicle that had plummeted off I-8 east of State Route 79 in Descanso.  The woman had been ejected from the vehicle and died of her injuries at the scene.

By Miriam Raftery

Next up: Alpine General Plan amendments to be considered in 2017

December 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)—By a  4 to 1 vote with Supervisor Dave Roberts opposed,  San Diego Supervisors on Wednesday voted to approve a Forest Conservation Initiative Lands General Plan Amendment, along with community plan amendments, rezoning and  certification of a supplemental environmental review. The action paves the way for development of parcels  in the Alpine and Descanso areas that were formerly protected under the Forest Conservation Initiative passed by voters, but that has since expired due to a sunset provision in 2010.

Travis Lyon, chair of the Alpine Community Planning Group, reports that the Supervisors “took all the recommendations ACPG made at the last meeting.” 

Jack Shu, president of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation,  said after the hearing, “The bottom line is that the County has moved to do away with what the voters – two thirds of them—wanted in 1993 to protect our local Forest."

By Jonathan Goetz

December 16, 2016 (El Cajon) – East County Magazine sat down with new Councilman Steve Goble, who share his views on the most important issues facing El Cajon,  his budget priorities,  background, and thoughts on pressing problems such as homelessness, the refugee crisis, the East County Performing Arts Center and marijuana regulation.

East County News Service

December 17, 2016 (Ocotillo) -- Jim Pelley captured this image of a spectacular sunrise over the desert in Ocotillo yesterday morning.

East County News Service

December 15, 2016 (Spring Valley) – Jesus Perez, 26, was arrested yesterday afternoon by Sheriff’s detectives for attempted murder. The arrest stems from a shooting which occurred in the early morning hours of October 30th in the 800 block of Broadview Street in Spring Valley.

By Miriam Raftery

December 15, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – A man suspected of stealing mail in Lakeside led Sheriff’s deputies on a high-speed chase in Alpine this morning and was caught with a pickup truck full of other stolen items ranging from weapons to electronics. He is suspected of thefts in neighborhoods across our region.

Story and photos by Liz Alper

December 14, 2016 (Spring Valley) - Mount Miguel High School varsity boys soccer is off to a hot start in their 2016-17 campaign, their only loss being on Saturday against the Crawford High School Colts.  Tonight, the Matadors faced another San Diego Unified school, the Lincoln High School Hornets.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left:  El Cajon’s new City Council, left to right:  Gary Kendrick, Bob McClellan, Mayor Bill Wells, Ben Kalasho, and Steve Goble

December 14, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Businessmen Ben Kalasho and Steve Goble were sworn in to their first terms on the El Cajon City Council Tuesday along with Bob McClellan, celebrating his 24^th year on the Council.

Source: Lakeside River Park Conservancy

Photo: Chris Manzella accepting her award from Volunteer Manager Cindy Collins

December 13, 2016 (Lakeside) -- Chris Manzella has been named Lakeside's River Park Conservancy's Volunteer Of The Year. The award given was the "The Joan Burnett Memorial Inspirational Award" named after founding volunteer Joan Burnett, who passed away in 2005.

By Miriam Raftery

December 12, 2016 (Alpine) -- The Sheriff’s department today announced a second arrest related to the death of 18-month-old Leah Brown-Meza. Lilly Brown, 21, the tot’s mother, will be charged with three counts of willful cruelty to a child with great bodily injury and/or death, said Sheriff’s Homicide Lieutenant Kenneth Nelson.

East County News Service

December 12, 2016 (Alpine) – Alpine resident Cristen Carver, branch manager of the HomeBridge Financial Services office in Mission Valley, has been honored with the 2016 Affiliate of the Year award by the Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,500-member trade group for San Diego-area realtors. The award recognizes a PSAR member for their loyalty and devotion to the association, including community involvement, association support and participation on PSAR committees.