East County News Service

September 22, 2016 (Lakeside) - The Lakeside Sheriff's Department is hosting a "Coffee with the Community" event on Thursday, October 20 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lakeside Branch Library.

Source:  Fire Chief Bill F. Paskle, Fire Chief,  Alpine Protection District

Photo: By AFPD.  FM Global’s Jay Koo presents a plaque to Alpine Fire Protection District Fire Chief Bill Paskle.  Left to Right, AFPD Fire Chief Bill Paskle, Jay Koo from FM Global, AFPD Fire Marshal Jason McBroom.

September 21, 2016  (Alpine) – The Alpine Fire Protection District has received a $2,194 fire prevention grant from FM Global, one of the world’s largest commercial property insurers.

By Miriam Raftery

East County News Service

September 21, 2016 (La Mesa) — A firefighter was injured battling a blaze at a liquor store in the 6000 block of Lake Murray Boulevard late last night.  The liquor store was at the corner of  Lake Murray Blvd. and El Paso Street.

East County News Service

September 20, 2016  (Santee) – Santee will soon have a new mayor for the first time in 16 years, as well as an opportunity for new faces on the city council.  On Thursday,  October 13, a Santee candidate forum will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rio Seco School, 9545 Cuyamaca Street in Santee.

In partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank

East County News Service

September 19, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The San Diego Blood Bank will accept blood donations at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church (2766 Navajo Road) in El Cajon on Sunday, September 25, 2016 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  in the parking lot. All blood types are needed. Current inventory for the universal blood type, O negative, is at critically low levels.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Nadin Abbott, Reporting San Diego;Volunteer searchers combed burned property where two bodies were located after Sheriff's declined to search hills behind couple's home

September 18, 2016  (San Diego’s East County)—Campo resident Claudia Millerbragg  asked the Sheriff’s Department on July 2^nd  to launch an internal investigation into what she and other residents described as  rude unprofessional treatment by Sheriff’s officials.  She says three other residents also spoke with the internal affairs

Frustrating by deputies’ lack of response to citizens’ concerns about two missing people after the Border Fire, Millerbragg was present with other local women who launched their own search and within 10 minutes,  found bodies of the missing couple huddled between boulders behind their home.

Now a  Sheriff’s internal investigation  into the matter has closed, with a disposition of “unfounded” in part and “exonerated” in part. The finding has left residents frustrated over the apparent lack of resolution of their concerns.

East County News Service

September 18, 2016 (El Cajon) — Scotty’s Scare Trail, one of East County’s most haunting attractions, will be open at the abandoned Marshal Scotty’s amusement park in El Cajon for a full month every Thursday through Sunday from Sept.29 to Oct. 30 between 7 to 11 p.m.

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (Santee) — The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, along with the East County Development Council, Santee, Lakeside and Alpine Mountain Empire Chambers invite you to Politics in Paradise part 2. 

Candidates for races across East County have been invited—including city council and mayoral contests as well as races ranging from school boards to the Grossmont Healthcare district. Here’s your chance to meet candidates up close and personal, hear their ideas, ask questions and network with movers and shakers from across our region.

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2016 (Mt Helix) – I grew up in La Mesa, where my mother had a bird feeder.  It attracted many species, but never bluebirds.  Until recently, I’d seen bluebirds only rarely, in the mountain areas.  So I was delighted to spot one in our yard on Mt. Helix this week—and soon learned that bluebirds are expanding their range locally.

East County News Service

Photo:   Last year’s International Peace  Day in La Mesa drew a crowd.

September 17, 2016  (La Mesa)--The Interfaith Council of La Mesa is celebrating it's 3rd annual International Day of Peace in La Mesa on Sept. 25 at 3:30 p.m. in Aztec Park (7945 Morocco Drive) as part of a global effort.  All are welcome at the event, which aims to bring awareness to “the need to promote peace, unity and good will in both local and global communities.”  (View flyer)

By Janis Russell

Hear audio of candidates' response on homelessness by clicking the orange link above

September 16, 2016 (La Mesa)-Last night, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum for La Mesa City Council candidates at the La Mesa Community Center.  Councilmember Kristine Alessio and newcomer Colin Parent participated; Councilmember Ruth Sterling was unable to attend due to surgery on a broken arm.The candidates agreed on some issues, such as helping local businesses thrive, but offered divergent views on others, such as how to address homelessness and transit funding.

Mary England, President/CEO of the Chamber, welcomed attendees. Bill Hammett, a Chamber board member, was moderator for the forum.

By Miriam Raftery

September 16, 2016 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa First United Methodist Church will host a public forum for Mesa City Council candidates and important ballot initiatives.  The forum will be held on September 28^th, with a candidates’ meet and greet at 6:30 and the forum beginning at 7 p.m.

By Jan Hedlun, Potrero resident

Note:  Hedlun sent this on Sept. 14 to San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Chad Boudreau, with copies to Supervisor Dianne Jacob and ECM.  She’s granted permission to run this as an open letter/reader’s editorial.

Re:  Regional Fire Safe Council Meeting/Potrero

September 16, 2016 (Potrero) -- My name is Jan Hedlun and I am a Potrero resident and an elected member of the Potrero Community Planning Group. I was speaking to Bob Buerer who attended the recent Regional Fire Safe Council meeting on Thursday, September 8^th who told me something deeply disturbing.

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (La Mesa) -- Local author and La Mesa Historical Society President James Newland will make a presentation based on his book "Around Mt. Helix" at the La Mesa branch of the county library (8047 Allison Ave.) in La Mesa on Saturday, September 17 at 10:30 a.m.

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (Lakeside) — A Hyundai Accent that was reportedly racing through a  Lakeside neighborhood ran a light at Julian Avenue and Los Coches Road at 1.a.m.,smashing into a California Highway Patrol car. The crash injured six people, including a CHP sergeant and an officer, said CHP spokesman Kevin Pearlstein.