By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy Billy Ortiz

April 24, 2016 (Lakeside) – Yesterday morning’s Western Days Parade in Lakeside was marred by tragedy.   Diana Cavender, an experienced horse trainer and member of the Escondido Mounted Posse, has died of head injuries suffered in a fall that occurred when her horse spooked while she was riding to a staging area after the parade.

Updated April 25, 2016 with victim's identity and cause of death.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Lakeside) – Lance Benson, 29, of Lakeside has been arrested and will be charged with murder for the death of a man found early this morning on a sidewalk by a newspaper delivery person. The victim has been identified as Trammel Joseph Rizzuti, age 35 and the death was caused by sharp force trauma.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Alpine) -- If you want your business, organization or agency to blossom, sign up for the May 18 Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce 2016 Spring Business Festival. There will be marketing opportunities for Chamber members from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Alpine Regional Center’s lobby area at 1620 Alpine Boulevard  in Alpine. The general public is invited to attend free.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Spring Valley) – Howdy, partner! It’s time to travel out West. The San Diego Laurel and Hardy Group, Saps at Sea Tent, will present Laurel and Hardy – Wacky Western Night on Saturday, May 14^th in Williams Hall at Trinity Church, 3902 Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley. Doors open at 6:30 with show time at 7 p.m.  There is a $6 donation per person.

East County News Service

April 24, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) -- Six local bands with styles ranging from flamenco jazz to country rock will be featured at the 2016 Coyote Music Festival on the afternoon of Saturday, May 7, at Cuyamaca College.

East County News Service

April 23, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – On Wednesday, April 27, Supervisors will consider two versions of proposed changes to the tiered winery ordinance, as ECM reported. Ramona winemakers have raised serious concerns over a version proposed by county staff that differs from the version approved by the County Planning Commission. 

Source: San Diego Sheriff's Department News Release

Photo: Ramona Airport, courtesy County News Center

April 23, 2016 (Ramona) - Earlier today, deputies from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation assisted firefighters with CAL FIRE with a plane crash at Ramona Airport.    

By Leon Thompson

April 22, 2016 (Jamul) - The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has voted to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jamul Indian Village of California.  The agreement will memorialize negotiations regarding the construction and operation of the tribes Hollywood Casino Jamul set to open this summer.  The agreement passed on a 3-1 vote, with Vice Chairwoman Dianne Jacob opposed and Supervisor Greg Cox absent.

East County News Service

April 21, 2016 (Spring Valley) – If you bought a SuperLotto Plus ticket sold at the Valero gas station on Campo Road in Spring Valley, be sure to check your numbers.  Some lucky customer has won $18,088.

Source: TEDxKids ElCajon Press Release

April 21, 2016 (El Cajon) - Cajon Valley Union School District hosted the community’s second annual TEDxKids@ElCajon event on Saturday, April 16. Speakers included students in grades 1-8, as well as featured speakers Aidan Fay, a local student who built a flight simulator in his bedroom, Brynjar Karl, the “Lego Boy” from Iceland who built a 20-foot replica of the Titanic using over 56,000 Legos, and Chula Vista teen Tae Ho, a Master Chef Junior contestant. Over 1500 children and families listened to inspiring talks from our youth, engaged in a unique Innovation Park, and participated in workshops such as hip hop dance and Minecraft modeling.

Update April 23, 2016:  County staff has responded to ECM questions on this issue.  View their response here.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: Elaine Lyttle, Hatfield Creek Winery & Vineyard, says the county's "priorites are wrong" and faults excessive regulations for stifling her award-winning winery in Ramona.

April 20,2016 (Ramona) –  Leaders in Ramona’s burgeoning wine industry warn in correspondence to Supervisors that Ramona’s wine industry could die on the vine as a result of changes proposed to the County’s Boutique and Small Wineries Regulations.

 The changes are set for hearing by Supervisors on Wednesday, April 27 at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Center (Room310, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego).  View agenda and hearing announcement. 

Two versions of the ordinance will be up for consideration, one approved by the Planning Commission, the other a recommendation by staff of Planning & Development Services. One important note: legal challenges may be limited only to issues raised at a public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the hearing body at or before the hearing, according to the hearing notice.

East County News Service

April 20, 2016 (Ramona) --You’re invited to view or take a flight aboard vintage World War II aircraft at the Ramona Airport (2898 Montecit Rd., Ramona) April 20 through 22^nd as part of the Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour.

East County News Service

April 20, 2016 (Santee) -- An Earth Day Community Mural project is being launched in Santee at the Walker Preserve this weekend. Volunteers are needed to help pain a series of six murals at the Magnolia Avenue underpass along the San Diego River starting Friday, April 22^nd through Monday, April 25^th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools Vice-President Emma Turner appointed to leadership positions for the National School Boards Association during annual conference in Boston, MA.

Source:  La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools press release

April 19, 2016 (La Mesa) - Emma Turner, Vice-President of the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District Board of Education, was elected to the position of Chair of the National Black Council (NBC) of National School Boards Association (NSBA) and also installed as a member of the Board of Directors of the NSBA at their annual conference on April 11, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts.  During the two-year term of office, Dr. Turner will be the leading educational advocate for providing a quality education for all African American students across the nation, as well as all students.  Dr. Turner will also serve as a spokesperson for issues that impact the education of African American youth.

East County News Service

April 19, 2016 (Pine Valley) -- CALFIRE, in cooperation with Corte Madera Ranch, will be conducting a prescribed burn approximately 5 miles south of Pine Valley today.