November 24, 2015 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez has announced that after shoulder-tap operations using minor decoys led to three arrests, police will extend the operations through July.

East County News Service

November 22, 2015 (Jamul) –A car that ran a Border Patrol Checkpoint struck a bus on Highway 94 at Otay Lakes Road Saturday afternoon, sending four people to the hospital.

East County News Service

Photo, left: historic buildings at the Guy B. Woodward Museum in Ramona's Old Town

November 23, 2015 (Ramona)--The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Christmas tree lighting event on December 5^th from 5-8 p.m. in Old Town Ramona. The event features sleigh rides, carolers, Santa’s Village, performers and Santa Claus.

The tree-lighting will be at the Guy B. Woodward Museum (645 Main St..),  which includes a collection of historical buildings form Ramona's western past. The Holiday Craft Village with Santa will be in Ramona’s Town Hall.  Around town, watch for other activities and shops competing for the best-dressed window contest.

In addition, Old Town Ramona shops invite you to join in a “Find the Elf” contest from 3 -8 p.m. on the same day.

By Robert Gehr © 2015

November 21, 2015 (El Cajon )—El Cajon’s first-ever Holiday Lights on Main celebration will be held November 28^th from 12 noon to 7 p.m.  Festivities take place at Prescott Promenade Park and in downtown El Cajon.

This special event features a Santa’s village complete with Santa Claus and an elf making an appearance just in time for Christmas! There will also be an ice skating rink, craft and food vendors, a train ride, community acts, plus live music featuring Danielle Tucker from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

A special Christmas tree lighting at 6:00 p.m. in front of Starbucks and Urbn St. Brewing Co. at Main St. and Magnolia Ave. will coincide with all the lights throughout downtown and Prescott Promenade Park being turned on to brighten the holidays for everyone.

November 21, 2015 (El Cajon)—St. Michael’s Chaldean Catholic Church will host its first annual “Gift of Giving Christmas Gala” on Friday, December 4 at 8 p.m.  The 21+ wine and cheese gala will feature a silent auction, raffle items, a selection of wines from local wineries, craft beers and donated foods.

East County News Service

November 20, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service is forecasting snow Wednesday and Thursday down to 3,000 feet, potentially including I-8 in East County.  Significant levels of snow are forecast above 5,000 feet, bringing a white Thanksgiving to our mountain areas. 

Holiday travelers should use caution due to slippery roads and strong west winds, as well as potential for ice, snow, and of course, wild turkeys!

Board also votes to incur debt to fight Alpine lawsuit—and gets legal warning of CA Voting Rights Act violations

By Miriam Raftery

“You should be proud that a school like this is helping students out. Are you thinking of the students and our futures, or just yourselves and your money?”—Jackie Ramirez, 16, young mother and student at Diego Valley Charter

November 19, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –Wearing green shirts reading “Defend School Choice”,  over 100 parents, students and teachers turned out to protest the Grossmont Union High School District’s litigation that seeks to shut down multiple charter schools.  Speaker after speaker gave emotional testimony tonight, pleading with the GUHSD board to save their schools.

A lawsuit filed by the district seeks to shut down Diego Valley Public Charter, which serves at-risk  students including many Chaldeans and other minorities, drop-outs , pregnant students, and students who have aged out of the public high school system, as well as Julian Charter School-Alpine Academy. A hearing on the case is scheduled for June 10, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Joan M. Lewis in San Diego Superior Court.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: U.S. Army marksmanship training

November 19, 2015 (Alpine) –The County Planning Commission last week voted to allow two additional appeals of an interim permit issued by the planning director for Covert Canyon to operate firearms training for military, governmental and law enforcement. The groups have 10 days to file appeals. A December 11^th hearing is set to hear all appeals.

The appeals requests were filed by Danielle Belliveau on behalf of 15 Alpine residents and from attorney Marco Gonzalez of Coast Law Group representing Cleveland National Forest Foundation, Save Our Forests and Ranchlands, and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation.  Those requests were in addition to a previously accepted appeal filed by neighbors Clark and Robin Williams, who live within 300 feet of Covert Canyon. (See ECM ‘s previous article on the appeals and on the County’s interim approval of a stipulated administrative enforcement order. )

East County News Service

November 16, 2015 (Lakeside) – On Sunday morning, employees at the Lakeside River Park Conservancy found their office had been broken into. A laptop computer had been stolen, the alarm dismantled, and food from the fridge scattered across tables.

A security camera revealed an image of the intruder eating and tampering with the alarm system The Sheriff’s department sent Deputy Darryl Patmon out to the scene to investigate.

The next morning, at 7:30 a.m, employees again arrived at work and discovered the same man seen in the video standing in the kitchen, drinking tea after sleeping in the office and apparently breaking some items, the River Park’s Facebook page indicates. 

By Miriam Raftery

November 16, 2015 (La Mesa) – La  Mesa artist Grace Schlesier has been awarded the American Women Artists Gold Medal for her oil painting titled “Desert Magic.”

“It was chosen by the curator of the Scottsdale Museum Of The West,” Schlesier said. The show is currently at the Bonner David Gallery in Scottsdale until the end of November and available for purchase.

Schlesier is a signature member of the American Impressionist Society and American Women Artists, noted for her mastery at capturing the beauty and moods of nature, painting on location or En Plein Air. Her landscapes and seascapes reflect light and softness, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility--welcome qualities in today's fast-paced and stressful world.

November 13, 2015 (Santee)--You loved them so much last year, Pickwick Players, your East County theatre family, is bringing them back again! Come join Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy and the entire Peanuts gang as they come to life one more time on the Off Broadway Live stage (9490 Cuyamaca Street in Santee)  to look for the true meaning of Christmas in A Charlie Brown Christmas December 4-19.

November 13, 2015 (El Cajon)--Anticipation of a new hotel in El Cajon is growing as officials have completed the sale of properties at the northeast corner of Magnolia Avenue and Rea Avenue for developers of the Marriott Courtyard Hotel. The 88,000-square foot hotel will feature 120 rooms, a swimming pool, outdoor dining areas, a business center, two meeting rooms, and two commercial lease spaces on the ground floor.

East County News Service

Photo by El Cajon Fire Marshal Chris Jensen

November 13, 2015 (El Cajon) –Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in El Cajon responded to reports of a structure fire this morning at 9:45 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the second floor of a single-family home at 1715 Eldon Court in El Cajon.

East County News Service

November 12, 2015 (El Cajon) -- On Friday, November 13th and Saturday, November 14th, the El Cajon Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Team will be conducting training at the vacant buildings located in the 100 block of Rea Avenue at Magnolia Avenue in El Cajon. This is a unique opportunity for a very specific and specialized type of training.

There may be explosions and other loud noises heard in and around the area throughout the day.

East County News Service

November 10, 2015 (Santee) – A suspect who reportedly fled after a traffic stop in Santee later crashed and was ejected.  When he refused to cooperate with deputies after the accident, 41-year-old Anthony Ortega was tasered and arrested, said Sergeant Daniel Morsch.