By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

Source:  County News Service

July 31, 2016 (San Diego) - County Parks and Recreation will close four parks in August, a precaution taken each year due to the month’s expected extreme heat.

El Capitan Preserve near Lakeside, Mt. Gower Preserve near Ramona, Hellhole Canyon Preserve in Valley Center and Wilderness Gardens in Pala are closed Aug. 1 through Aug. 31. In addition, Agua Caliente Regional Park near Julian is closed all summer; it will reopen Labor Day weekend.

Public input also sought Aug. 3 on community choice alternative for electric power

East County News Service

July 30, 2016 (La Mesa)—The City of La Mesa seeks public input on its draft Climate Action Plan.  Two public meetings are planned with the City’s Enviornmental Sustainability Commission at City Hall (8130 Allison Ave.) at 7 p.m. on August 16 and September 19. 

“These are great opportunities for you and your neighbors to help shape the Plan that will guide the City of La Mesa to a clean energy future over the next 20 years,”says Angela Deegan at San Diego 350.org,a nonprofit environmental group dedicated to stopping climate change…If you live in La Mesa, we need you to help provide input to ensure La Mesa adopts a strong, enforceable Climate Action Plan which includes a goal of 100% clean energy and which incentivizes renewable energy and local green jobs.”

East County News Service

July 28, 2016 (El Cajon) -- A city-sponsored measure is being proposed for the November 2016 general municipal election. If approved by voters, it would amend El Cajon’s City Charter to establish district elections for City Council seats beginning in 2018.

Council also heard reports on the district election process and new animal care facility 

By Janis Russell

Photo: assistant city manager Majed Al-Ghafry

July 27, 2016 (El Cajon) - At yesterday’s El Cajon City Council meeting, council members heard more about the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) bids and comments on East County Transitional Living Center (ECTLC). They also got updates on the new animal care facility and the district election process. Councilmember Bob McClellan was absent.

East County News Service

July 27, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College will host a free Customer Appreciation Day for Helix Water and Sweetwater Authority customers on Sunday, July 31 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Discover different varieties of drought-tolerant plants, learn how to "Toss the Turf" and get inspiration on how to incorporate water-wise gardening into your own garden. Plus you can enjoy free activities including docent-led garden tours, tips on butterfly gardening, veggie growing,soils and native habitat, meet Ms. Smarty-Plants, watch a butterfly release, savor free shaved ice, and get discounts on gift shop items.  See full schedule of events below.

East County News Service

July 27, 2016 (San Diego)—A boycott of six Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons grocery store locations is underway starting this week, the United Food & Commercial Workers Union in San Diego has announced.  If no contract agreement is reached by August 8^th,the union has voted to call a strike against all of the stores’ locations throughout southern California.

The boycott locations include two in East County:  the Vons store at 8011 University Ave. in La Mesa and the Albertsons at 9831 Campo Road in Spring Valley.

By Miriam Raftery

July 26, 2016 (Lake Morena) – An online petition has been launched asking the City of San Diego to stop draining Lake Morena and Barrett Lake. Rural residents seek help from San Diego residents and all who are concerned about wildlife or the prospect of a devastating firestorm to sign the petition.

The petition, posted by Campo resident Karen Noblitt-McIntyre, accuses San Diego officials of ignoring public safety, noting that two residents died during the recent Border Fire. Firefighting aircraft were diverted to water sources farther away due to lack of water in these lakes, witnesses stated in recent public meetings.

The petition states that the city has put wildlife and rural communities at risk, also failing to live up to its promise to repair the dam at Lake Morena. The city drained Lake Morena to less than 3% of capacity and Barrett Lake to below 6% of capacity, public records indicate.  Although San Diego claimed it needed drinking water during the drought, the city did not ask its residents to conserve water before draining East County’s lakes.  The water was pumped to Otay reservoir, which overfilled when rain fell, so the city dumped the precious water supply into the ocean.

East County News Service

July 26, 2016 (Lakeside) – A male pedestrian was struck by a box truck and killed on Interstate 8 west just east of Lake Jennings Park Road yesterday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

East County News Service

July 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Evangelist Tim LaHaye,  co-author of the best-selling “Left Behind” Christian book series and founder of local Christian schools, died today at age 80 in a local hospital of complications from a stroke.  Time Magazine once named LaHaye among the 25 most influential evangelicals in the U.S.

By Miriam Raftery

July 25, 2016 (Alpine) — Secret Hills Ranch in Alpine is hosting a barbecue, dance and silent auction on August 6^th to help fund medical bills for colon cancer survivor Vicki Halsey, a horse trainer and advocate for children. The deadline for pre-purchasing dinners is August 1.

By Miriam Raftery

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing period to run for local offices is now open, closing August 12.   Concerned citizens can often make positive differences in their communities by become elected officials serving as members of school boards, community planning groups, fire boards, water boards, hospital districts, city councils, or as mayors.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) - See “Around the World in 80 Days,” a timeless tale of amazing adventures as Phineas Fogg attempts to circumnavigate the globe in less than 80 days in order to win a sizeable wager.  The play is based on the novel Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) -- Heartland Fire & Rescue units were dispatched to a reported fire at Kaelin’s market in the 1400 block of East Main Street on Friday afternoon.  Fire crews arrived within four minutes to find a single story commercial building under construction with smoke inside the building. A second alarm was quickly called due to the extreme heat conditions firefighters were facing and the potential of fire spread.

East County News Service

July 24, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The County’s animal shelter in Bonita is still seeking good homes for five of the dogs owned by Jim and Kyrie Keefe, the Potrero couple who perished in the Border Fire.  You can view the dogs in this video. Ideally, Animal Control hopes the dogs can be adopted by someone with a large yard and other dogs.

Source: Sheriff's press release

July 24, 2016 (El Cajon) - On July 21, 2016 around 2:20 a.m., California Highway Patrol transferred a 911 call reporting a road rage incident that occurred near the intersection of Jamacha Road and Hilton Head Place involving multiple gunshots fired.  Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area and located the victim. Varying witness accounts described the suspect vehicle as either a white SUV and/or a black sedan.    A white SUV matching the description of a vehicle involved was located at an apartment complex nearby.  Four individuals associated with the vehicle were questioned but released pending further investigation.  Several bullet casings were found in the apartment complex parking lot about two blocks away from where the white SUV was located.  There were no injuries reported in this incident and the investigation is continuing.