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.     

East County News Service

April 29, 2016 (Ramona) – The Ramona Rodeo takes play May 19-22, along with other activities including a parade down Main Street on the 21^st and dancing to the country band Patrick Howard Trampus on the 20^th and 21^st after the rodeo.  There’s also a free slack rodeo performance on the 19^th, as well as a kids day on the 22^nd featuring the youngest cowboys and cowgirls riding sheep in the mutton bustin’ competition.

 Adult rodeo events include bull riding, bareback riding, barrel racing, a tie-down competition, steer wrestling and more. Winners may advance to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association national rodeo championship.

April 28, 2016 (El Cajon) - A mystery dinner theatre production by Toby Otero. Come spend the evening at the Salty Dog Seaside Seafood and Steak restaurant and see what happens when Captain F. “Bigbeard” McQuarrie and his misfit crew decide to stop their pirating ways and try to sail the straight and narrow. With the notorious French Privateer, “The Razor,” always on his tail, and a drunken pirate head waiter who always seems to do the wrong thing, can Captain Bigbeard and his crew ever truly live a peaceful life? This is the manic tale of a stolen treasure chest, a sensational swashbuckling swordfight, mayhem, mischief, and…MURD-ARRR!!! Performances will be held on Friday and Saturday nights, April 29^th and 30^th, at 7:00pm and on Sunday May 1^st at 2:00pm. The venue is Richardson Hall, 551 Farragut Circle, El Cajon. All seats are $20.00 and include a themed meal. For reservations, please e-mail thecircleplayers@gmail.com or phone (619) 588-5348.

East County News Service

Photo: Clover Flat

April 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- Back Country Land Trust closed on March 31^st on the conservation of the abutting 982-acre San Diego Mountain Ranch and the 764-acre Clover Flat properties in La Posta.  The transaction is valued at $6,000,000; funded by SANDAG, the US NAVY, US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Trust for Public Land, the California Wildlife Conservation Board, and BCLT.  Along with the land came  approximately$120,000 in funds for remediation plus management endowment funding, says George Barnett, Vice President of BCLT.

East County News Service

April 25, 2016 (Campo) – If you’ve never visited the backcountry, here’s an event that’s fun for the whole family.  The Camp Lockett Event and Equestrian Facility (799 Forrest Gate Rd., Campo) will host the 10^th annual Campo Roundup on Saturday, May 7^th.

East County News Service

April 25, 2016 (Lakeside) – Yeehaw!  Lakeside’s Rodeo and Western Days Parade took place this past weekend and photographer Randy Jordan of  R. Jordan Photography was there to catch the action, including barrel racing and calf-roping at “Slack Thursday” in the Bulls Only lead-up event to the Lakeside Rodeo.  He also watched the annual parade roll out down Maine Avenue through the heart of downtown Lakeside.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy Billy Ortiz

April 24, 2016 (Lakeside) – Yesterday morning’s Western Days Parade in Lakeside was marred by tragedy.   Diana Cavender, an experienced horse trainer and member of the Escondido Mounted Posse, has died of head injuries suffered in a fall that occurred when her horse spooked while she was riding to a staging area after the parade.

Updated April 25, 2016 with victim's identity and cause of death.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Lakeside) – Lance Benson, 29, of Lakeside has been arrested and will be charged with murder for the death of a man found early this morning on a sidewalk by a newspaper delivery person. The victim has been identified as Trammel Joseph Rizzuti, age 35 and the death was caused by sharp force trauma.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Alpine) -- If you want your business, organization or agency to blossom, sign up for the May 18 Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce 2016 Spring Business Festival. There will be marketing opportunities for Chamber members from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Alpine Regional Center’s lobby area at 1620 Alpine Boulevard  in Alpine. The general public is invited to attend free.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Spring Valley) – Howdy, partner! It’s time to travel out West. The San Diego Laurel and Hardy Group, Saps at Sea Tent, will present Laurel and Hardy – Wacky Western Night on Saturday, May 14^th in Williams Hall at Trinity Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley. Doors open at 6:30 with show time at 7 p.m.  There is a $6 donation per person.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) -- Six local bands with styles ranging from flamenco jazz to country rock will be featured at the 2016 Coyote Music Festival on the afternoon of Saturday, May 7, at Cuyamaca College.

East County News Service

April 23, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – On Wednesday, April 27, Supervisors will consider two versions of proposed changes to the tiered winery ordinance, as ECM reported. Ramona winemakers have raised serious concerns over a version proposed by county staff that differs from the version approved by the County Planning Commission. 

Source: San Diego Sheriff's Department News Release

Photo: Ramona Airport, courtesy County News Center

April 23, 2016 (Ramona) - Earlier today, deputies from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation assisted firefighters with CAL FIRE with a plane crash at Ramona Airport.