East County News Service

May 29, 2016 (Ramona) — In April 1862, the Battle of Shiloh was a key early victory for the Union Army during the Civil War.  On Memorial Day, May 30^th, Norm Case, co-owner of the Hatfield Creek Vineyards and Winery in Ramona, will be displaying the historic drum on which his great-great grandfather, Philo Case, played the long roll to begin the Battle of Shiloh.

East County News Service

May 27, 2016 (Dulzura) – A collision on State Route 94 near Lucky Six Truck Trail in Dulzura has left a man dead and three people injured, including an 8-year-old child.

Review by Kathy Carpenter, Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

May 26, 2016 (La Mesa) - Do you believe in second chances? Neil Simon’s plays are semi- biographical; for Simon, perfect love happened twice. In Chapter Two, it happens for George Schneider, who loses his wife an early death and Jennie Malone who married the wrong man.

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (La Mesa) – AP students at Grossmont High School recently researched Japanese-American students who attended Grossmont and the impact that the 1942 internment of program had on their lives.  Now the results of their efforts are on display in a special exhibit at the La Mesa Historical Society: May through September on the 2nd & 4th Saturday  from 1-4pm: “WWII Internment and the Japanese-American Students of Grossmont High School.”

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Boulevard) – A 24-year-old man died Saturday night, May 20^th after he lost control of his vehicle on I-8 West near McCain Valley Road in Boulevard. The Infinity G35 veered off the highway and rolled down a steep embankment.

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in Lemon Grove responded to reports of a structure fire in the 8000 block of Alton Drive around 8:30 this morning. Firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the windows of a duplex unit and a woman halfway out of a window at the rear of the duplex. 

But action comes too late for Grossmont Community Concert Association, set to hold its farewell concert June 15

By Jonathan Goetz

May 26, 2016 (El Cajon) - El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells promised “we are in the process of refurbishing the performing arts center and it will be open soon” in response to public comment at Tuesday’s City Council Meeting.

By Robert Gehr

Cover photo: Chase Avenue Elementary 'Mexican Ballet Folklorico'

May 26, 2016 (El Cajon) -- The 3^rd annual America on Main Street in El Cajon was a big hit with young and old alike!

East County News Service

May 26, 2016 (Santee)--The Santee Street Fair and Craft Beer Festival draws over 30,000 visitors each year with patriotic fund for the whole family. The eight annual festival will be held this year on Saturday, May 28^th from 10a.m to 6 p.m. at Riverview Parkway and Town Center Parkway in Santee. The festival will feature local breweries and honor the military on the Heroes Stage.

Festival highlights include: a craft beer festival, live music and entertainment, a crafter row and artist alley, over 300 food and vendor booths, carnival rides, and games for the family. 

East County News Service

May 25, 2016 (El Cajon) – An Uber driver arrested for sexual assault in El Cajon in March now faces charges as a serial rapist. 

El Cajon Police have charged John David Sanchez, 52, with sexually assaulting five additional victims, including raping a 13-year-old child and raping an unconscious person.  Authorities believe those attacks occurred between 2011 and 2014 at Sanchez’s residence in San Diego.

By Wendy Sigler

Reprinted with permission from Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy

May 25, 2016 (Lakeside) --We've all heard of San Juan Capistrano's annual visitors, but do the swallows come back to San Diego as well? The answer is yes! Like their cousins from Capistrano, cliff swallows travel northward from South America each year to mate and nest. In doing so, they pass through our community and grace us with their chaotic, but beautiful nesting dance.

May 24, 2016 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa City Council meets today at 6 p.m. in City Hall. 

The agenda includes a proposal for the city to take over sponsorship of the “Back to the 50s” car show, an event formerly organized and funded by the La Mesa Village Merchants Association.

Council will also weigh changes to parking requirements in the downtown commercial area, as well as  whether  to approve proposed transportation and street improvements.

East County News Service

May 23, 2016 (La  Mesa) –Climate change has impacts on everything from water to transportation issues.   La Mesa Conversations invites you to a discussion on The Future of Climate Change in La Mesa.  The discussion will be moderated by San Diego Union-Tribune environmental reporter Joshua Emerson Smith.

Panelists will include Amber Albrecht, senior communications manager for SDG&E, Kerry Davis, vice president of sales and marketing for Terra Steward/Foshay Solar Energy, and Kayla Race, director of operations and programs for Climate Action Plan.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Members of the San Diego Beekeeping Society at Lemon Grove City Council Meeting 5/17/16 (left to right) Carlos Richardson, Mark Kukuchek, Rebecca Wolniewicz, Daryl Hern, Neyl Montesano

May 21, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove is one step closer towards simplifying its beekeeping regulations. Half a dozen members of the San Diego Beekeeping Society gave testimony to the Lemon Grove Council on Tuesday in an attempt to address common fears about bee hives.

 “When I find an aggressive hive, I insert a new docile queen to make the hive less aggressive. Good beekeeping keeps our communities safe,” Carlos Richardson told Council members and the public.

By Monica Zech, City of El Cajon

May 20, 2016 (El Cajon) -- "America on Main Street" is Saturday in Downtown El Cajon - Don't Miss It! Below is a full list of events, recreation news, general information and safety tips from the City of El Cajon.