East County News Service

November 29, 2016 (La Mesa) — Ronald Barrios, a 51-year-old father of four, has died of injuries caused by a hit-and-run driver who was struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking on Blue Lake Drive near Jackson Street in the Lake Murray area on Saturday at around 5:45 a.m.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

November 28,2016 (Dehesa) — Three hikers were stranded overnight in Sloan Canyon near Dehesa after one fell and injured his head on Saturday.

A rescue helicopter was unable to fly due to a storm. Drenched by the deluge in chilly temperatures, the hikers were rescued the next morning by a Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team which used ropes and pulleys to bring them to safety.

East County News Service

November 27, 2016 (El Cajon) - Each year, El Cajon’s civic, service, and fraternal organizations select the El Cajon “Citizen of the Year” from the many people in El Cajon who contribute to El Cajon through years of volunteer civic and community service. Active community groups, or individuals, can nominate a candidate for the “Citizen of the Year” by sending a representative of your organization to the Selection Committee meetings.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos:  Fire at wind turbine in Campo sparked brush fire; Eco Substation in Jacumba mars desert views

November 27, 2016 (San Diego) - The Boulevard Planning Group voted unanimously to send a letter to County officials voicing concerns that the County’s Climate Action Plan and Comprehensive Renewable Energy Plan will adversely impact the Boulevard/Jacumba area, where mostly low-income residents have already been “disproportionately targeted” for 31 major energy–related projects planned, approved or built in the past decade, according to a letter signed by BPG Chair Donna Tisdale.

By Mike Allen

November 27, 2016 (Santee) -- The city of Santee’s Department of Development Services will host a public meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov.29 at City Hall concerning the Castlerock homes project.

According to a city notice, representatives from the developer, Pardee Homes, as well as from the cities of Santee and San Diego will be available to answer questions.

East County News Service

November 27, 2016 (Descanso) – You’re invited to a Holiday Open Ranch at Alpacas of Diego, located in Descanso (10499 Highway 79), just east of Alpine.  This festive day of fun will be held on Saturday, December 3^rd from10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

November 22, 2016 (La Mesa)--La Mesa Chamber of Commerce  President loves giving back to help people in need during the holiday season.  This year,  the  Chamber has added military families to its list of beneficiaries to receive help this holiday season, along with seniors and children.

Hear our interview with Mary England,  originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link above to learn how you can help brighten the families for people in need in our community.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

November 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The youngest survivors of Syria’s civil war are a traumatized generation.  In the U.S., 80% of the 10,000 Syrian refugees admitted in 2016 are children—and nearly all have suffered unspeakable trauma. 

East County News Service

November 24, 2016 (San Diego) -- The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is expanding its initiative to assist private forestland owners in addressing tree mortality and other drought-related damage to improve forest health.  NRCS will provide financial assistance for landowners with dead and dying conifer forest trees in certain counties, including San Diego County.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, left to right: Councilman Gary Kendrick with his son, TJ, and two formerly homeless men they have taken into their home, Tony and Michael

November 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- It’s rare to find elected officials willing to stand up to special interests or cast votes unpopular with vocal constituents, doing what he or she believes is right for the community and for people in need.

Part II in our series on the Ocotillo wind turbine collapse

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Jim Pelley

November 22, 2016 (Ocotillo) – Ocotillo Wind Energy has issued a statement on its website after collapse of a massive wind turbine Monday at its Ocotillo, California energy project site.  The statement indicates the turbine fell within the designed setback zone and no one was injured. Officials say they are working closely with Siemens, the manufacturer of the collapsed turbine, to identify the cause of the failure, with a “full investigation” underway.   The company said safety is its “first priority” and that more information will be released as it becomes available, KYMA TV reports.

Both this project and Siemens have a history of serious problems, however, leading to questions of whether federal or state oversight is needed to protect public safety.

East County News Service

November 22, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Drum Macomber sent in this photo of Senior Patrol Leader Kyle Jackson and Patrol Leader Alex Horn, Boy Scouts from Troop 362, with the El Cajon Main Street Flag Committee.

"This photo was not staged; it just happened when we decided that we should have the Pledge of Allegiance at the Work Party," Macomber says. "This is a Norman Rockwell Moment if ever."

For more sports coverage, visit ECM's Sports section

Source: NASCAR.com

Cover photo:  Creative Commons under Nascarking (Wikipedia).  Newsflasher photo:  Creative Commons under Flickr upload bot

November 20, 2016 (Miami) - Jimmie Johnson today won his seventh Sprint Cup championship and his first in three years at the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Miami.  The 41-year-old and El Cajon native is now tied with Dale Earnardt and Richard Petty as a seven-time premiere series champion.

East County News Service

November 18, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Help is needed to recover two golf carts stolen overnight from the Tir Na Nog horse rescue center east of Alpine or purchase replacements.

The owner posted this message on Facebook:

Horses of Tir Na Nog

Source: County of San Diego

November 18, 2016 (Campo) - The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Lake Morena County Park water system located at 2550 Lake Morena Drive in Campo, CA 91906, effective immediately. The water system is designed to provide potable water for a campground with 86 camper sites, ranger office, 4 fulltime residents, 7 volunteer RV pads and 2 public restrooms.