East County News Service

November 18, 2016 (San Diego)-- County Supervisors adopted new rules Wednesday aimed at making sure people are safe when they visit the region’s hopping number of breweries and wineries and decide to have a burger with their brew or more than just a little cheese with their wine.

Supervisors voted 4-0 to adopt an ordinance and two new permits that will apply food-safety rules found in restaurants to caterers hired to serve food at breweries, wineries and other businesses.

East County News Service

November 16, 2016 (Escondido) — The California Public Utilities Commission will hold public hearings January 9, 2017 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s application for authorization to recover costs related to the 2007 Southern California wildfires recorded in the Wildfire Expense Memorandum Account (WEBA). 

Source: Ramona Valley Vineyard Association press release

November 16, 2016 (Ramona) - Participating wineries from the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) will be holding a Holiday Wine Trail in the heart of San Diego Wine Country on Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11, from noon until 5:00 p.m.

East County News Service

November 16, 2016 (Alpine) -- Sheriff's Sexual Assault Detectives are investigating a sexual assault at the Ma-Tar-Awa Viejas RV Park, 25 Browns Road, Alpine, CA 91901, on the Viejas Indian Reservation.

According to Lt. Dan Brislin, a 30-year-old woman walked into the campground restroom at 5:30 a.m. yesterday and saw a man facing away from her in a stall. She entered a stall and that same man approached her from behind, said "Hey" and proceeded to sexually assault her. As the assault progressed, she asked him to not hurt her. Immediately after she said this, he stopped and fled the scene.

East County News Service

November 16, 2016 (Alpine) — A 55-year-old Alpine man died yesterday in a solo motorcycle accident.  He was riding a Harley Davidson westbound on Japatul Road near Hidden Glen Road at 2:36 p.m. when the vehicle crossed the yellow lines onto the dirt shoulder and struck an embankment, ejecting the rider.

By Gig Connaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

Image credit: CDC

November 15, 2016 (Spring Valley) - County Vector Control crews will hand-spray a neighborhood in Spring Valley this week to kill invasive Aedes mosquitoes to keep them from potentially spreading the Zika virus after mosquitoes were found near a person who contracted Zika traveling abroad.

Source: Caltrans

November 15, 2016 (Ramona) - Caltrans crews will set up lane closures on northbound State Route 67 at the intersection with Dye Road/Highland Valley Road near Ramona on Monday and Tuesday from  7 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. for paving operations.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

November 13, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon held a Veterans Day ceremony at Centennial Plaza on November 11^th and presented its first Veteran of the Year Award to retired Chief Ray Moody.

In addition to the WWII veterans and others in attendance, a 30-year-old veteran, Kenny Patterson, US Navy, was also present.  He went in the service at 19. The phrase “I am a veteran –my oath of enlistment has no expiration date” aptly applies to Patterson.  He gives back to the community by participating in the American Legion Riders Chapter #303 which raises money to help other veterans.  A vet helping other vets. A vet who was also honoring other vets by his attendance at the ceremony.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: (L-R) Hon. Gary Kendrick, Moody RL, BMC, Hon. Bob McClellan, Hon. Susan Davis, Hon. Star Bales, Hon. Tony Ambrose

November 13, 2016 (El Cajon) — Congresswoman Susan Davis joined members of the El Cajon City Council at a ceremony honoring our veterans on Friday in downtown El Cajon. Rep. Davis, who also hosted a town hall meeting for veterans last week, posted on her Facebook page,  “Let us never forget the veterans who dedicated themselves to defending and protecting our freedoms.”

Update December 1, 2016:  Lyon has pulled back ahead of Russo by 25 votes as the count contiunes.  The election will be certified  December 8th.

Update November 16, 2016:  Lou Russo has pulled ahead of Travis Lyon.

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2016 (Alpine) — With 100% of precincts counted but provisional and some mail-in ballots remaining to be counted, Joseph Perricone has won reelection to the Alpine Union School District board. But a second seat is still too close to call, with Travis Lyon leading Louis Russo by just 19 votes.

For more sports coverage, visit ECM's sports section

Story and photo by Liz Alper

November 10, 2016 (El Cajon) - In the first round of CIF playoffs, it was the battle of the Eagles as the San Pasqual High Golden Eagles traveled to Granite Hills to take on the Eagles.

Medical pot measure also passes

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2016 (La Mesa)—Attorney and affordable housing advocate Colin Parent, a Democrat, has won election to the La Mesa  City Council,  narrowly defeating incumbent Ruth Sterling, a Republican.  Councilwoman Kristine Alessio,  an attorney, won reelection.  Parent will be the lone Democrat on the five-member Council.

Sterling has long been one of La Mesa’s most popular politicians, winning past reelections by wide margins. But she missed a key La Mesa debate this election cycle due to falling and breaking her arm.  Sterling had initially announced she would not seek reelection,  but later changed her mind after constituents urged her to run.

With 100% of precincts counted but late mail-in ballots and provisionals remaining to be tallied,  Alessio has 35.55% of the vote (6675 votes), Parent has 35.35% (6450 votes) and Sterling 30.11% (5654 votes).

School bond measure also passes

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) –The Grossmont Union High School District has been rife with controversies including efforts to parents to split the district apart after the board ignored admonishments by the County Grand Jury  and refused to build an Alpine High School promised in two past bond measures—voting to instead fund a lawsuit defending the district’s stance.   

Yesterday,  voters cast out incumbent  Jim Stieringer, the newest Board member in a wave of anti-incumbency that swept the nation on a day that saw Donald Trump capture the presidency.  His replacement in trustee district 2, the La Mesa-Mt. Helix area, is a teacher.  Voters also elected a teacher in district 1 in Lemon Grove-Spring Valley-La Prensa, carved out through redistricting as a majority-minority district. Here's what the public can learn from these races.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo,left:  Stephen Houlahan

November 9, 2016 (Santee) – With 36% of precincts counted,  Councilman John Minto,a retired police officer, is maintaining a 10 point lead over felow Councilman and realtor Rob McNellis in the race to become Santee’s next Mayor.  Current Mayor Randy Voepel tonight won election handily  to the State Assembly over Leo Hamel.

Though Santee’s Council has long been heavily influenced by developers and real estate interests, Stephen Houlahan,  running on an environmental platform,  appears likely to defeat  two pro-development opponents.

East County News Service

Photos, left to right: Stephen Houlahan, Mason Herron, and Dustin Trotter

November 7, 2016 (Santee) — Santee City Council candidate Mason Herron has raked in $58, 246 in campaign contributions from 131 individuals, of whom only 6 live in Santee, including himself.  That’s 95% of donations coming from outside Santee.