July 28, 2015 (La Mesa)--Hospital food that’s not only healthy, but also savory, full of fresh ingredients, and visually stunning?  That’s what two celebrated San Diego chefs plan to cook up when they redesign the kitchen menu at Sharp Grossmont Hospital. These culinary experts collective experience includes cooking up feasts for heads of state, rock stars and other celebrities, starring on cooking shows, serving as top chefs at resorts and top hotels, plus winning a Culinary Olympics competition.

As the new executive chefs at Sharp Grossmont, Larry Banares and William Sauer bring their extensive culinary talents to the Sodexo team at Sharp Grossmont, which operates food and nutrition services at the La Mesa hospital. 

July 28, 2015 (Ramona) - This year's Ramona Country Fair will be held on Thursday, July 31st through Sunday, August 3rd. The 44th Annual Ramona Country Fair features the Ramona Junior Fair & Livestock Auction, two stages of music and entertainment, carnival rides, a midway of craft vendors, a business vendor area, and an expanded food court.

By Miriam Raftery

July 27, 2015 (Fletcher Hills) – As gas prices climb, gas thieves are on the prowl in East County.

By Miriam Raftery

July 26, 2015 (La Mesa)—The City of La Mesa announced July 15^th that the applicant for the Park Station Specific Plan has requested that the proposal not go forward to the City Council at this time. “The project is currently on hold,” the City’s public notice stated. 

July 26, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Heartland Fire & Rescue, serving the Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove, is currently accepting applications for the reserve portion of the Heartland Fire Academy through August 7, 2015. Applications will be accepted between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at 100 E. Lexington Avenue in El Cajon.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

July 26, 2015 (Lakeside)—A head-on crash on Lakeside’s Wildcat Canyon Road near Blue Sky Ranch killed two people early this morning, the California Highway Patrol reports.

July 24, 2015 (Lakeside) – Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy presents its 9^th annual Once in a Blue Moon Gala & Auction at Hazy Meadow Ranch on Saturday, August 29. Happy hour starts at 5 p.m., followed by dinner, with dessert and dancing concluding at 9 p.m.  Special guest speaker will be Supervisor Dianne Jacob.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Claudia Millerbragg

Update: This fire is contained. Cal-Fire's Kendal Bortisser also confirms that firefighting planes were able to draw water from Lake Morena despite draining of the lake by the City of San Diego to about 3% capacity prior to the recent rains.

July 24, 2015 (Lake Morena) - A 30-acre brush fire is burning near Lake Morena County Park at Lake Morena and Lakeview.  Cal Fire Captain Kendal Bortisser informed ECM at 1:40 p.m. that there are no structure threats but voluntary evacuations are occurring at Lake Morena Village.

The fire is burning in medium to heavy vegetation with a moderate rate of spread.  Brush Fire Partyline on Facebook reports scanner traffic indicates power lines are down.

If you have  photos or eyewitness reports on this fire please send to editor@eastcountymagazine.org

July 22, 2015 (Lemon Grove)—Looking for some hot summer nights’ entertainment? Lemon Grove’s Concerts in the Park continue each Thursday night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Berry Street Park.  Here’s the line-up of bands for the rest of the summer season, which ends August 13:

July 22, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- Stay safe and informed!  East County Magazine's free wildfire and emergency alert service has been busy lately warning people here about flash floods, wildfires, roadway hazards and severe weather.

Our regional emergency alerts come via email, so you can get them even if phone lines burn down. You can also get alerts on your cell phone. Plus you can receive our free weekly newsletter with top news stories in our region.

Sign up today! It's FREE.  Click here.

Participants include Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Helix Water District, the San Diego County Water Authority, Building Industry Association of San Diego, and the Water Reliability Coalition

July 21, 2015 (El Cajon) -- On Thursday, August 13^th, 2015 Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) will be hosting a Drought Town Hall to educate constituents about the ongoing California drought, legislative solutions, and efforts to provide relief to the community.

County News Service

Photo: NIFC.gov

Update July 21: Supervisors voted unanimously to ask the Obama administration to take action and allow USFS air tankers to land in Ramona.

July 20, 2015 (Ramona)—The U.S. Forest Service is refusing to fly its newest air tankers in and out of Ramona Air Attack Base – and the Board of Supervisors may turn to the White House for help.  

On Tuesday, July 21 at 9 a.m. Supervisors will consider a proposal from Chairman Bill Horn and Supervisor Dianne Jacob to appeal the decision to the Obama Administration. With the high-risk fall fire season approaching, they say flying the next-gen tankers in and out of Ramona could help save lives and protect property.

County News Service

Photo: County crews work to clean up mud flow on Rutherford Road in Ramona, where over 3 inches of rain fell on Sunday.

July 20, 2015 (San Diego) -- The remnants of Hurricane Dolores created record rainfall in San Diego County, taking residents by surprise over the weekend. If your property or small business sustained damage from the weekend’s heavy rains and flooding, the County would like your help to estimate rain damages in our region.

The County Office of Emergency Services is asking storm-affected residents to complete a short damage survey form that will assist the County in collecting damage information and associated costs from the weekend’s heavy rains and flooding.

The information gathered from the surveys will be used to estimate total damages countywide and will determine if enough damages occurred to qualify the region for federal disaster assistance, such as low interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration for those who are uninsured or underinsured.

East County News Service

July 19, 2015 (La Mesa)—Hospitals must release their rates of readmission and serioscomplications, due to a new Medicare requirement in the Affordable Care Act—and pay penalties for poor results.  That’s producing positive results, pushing hospitals  to work to improve those numbers and patient wellbeing.

For example, a study by BetterDoctors.com found that from mid-2010 to mid-2013, Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa ranked fourth worst in the nation for readmissions and complications. The good news is that since then, Grossmont's numbers have improved dramatically, according to Better Doctors and Grossmont, and penalty fees have dropped sharply as a result. Th hospital has also won several awards and honors for its patient care.

East County News Service

July 18, 2015 (El Cajon ) – A vehicle theft suspect is under arrest after a chase that led El Cajon Police officers on a wild chase that ended after the suspect crashed into three parked cars.