By Miriam Raftery

July 8, 2015 (Santee)—The Santee City Council has voted to raise the Fire Benefit Fee for all commercial and industrial properties to a maximum of $492 per building, per year.  Parcels with multiple buildings will owe the fee for each building. The highest increase faced by any property owner would be $1,800, staff told Council.

“This is really a per building fee,” Councilman Jack Dale observed, “whether you’re 500 square feet or you’re Costco.”

July 5, 2015 (Santee) – Last night Sheriff’s deputies conducted a driving-under-the-influence (DUI) sobriety and driver license checkpoint near the 9200 block of Carlton Hills Blvd. in Santee from 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate and Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

July 7, 2015 (La Mesa) - Frustrated as a college student screenwriter, Chris Montgomery recalls, life happened. Years later, the La Mesa father decided his time had come.  After watching many children's shows both good and bad, he decided he could put together a movie kids would watch and  that parents would approve. Olivia's Island Adventure will premiere at the San Diego Performing Arts Center (4579 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego, CA 92120) on July 10-11, 2015 @ 6:45pm.

Update: The spill was  at Abacana Industries, a pool manufactoring and supply company.  Approximately 2,000 gallons from a 4,000 gallon storage tank leaked out. A secondary containment area in place to contain potential runoff from spills also failed, leading to a spill in the parking lot and storm drain. A private environmental company is now also assisting with cleanup.  Photo courtesy of Heartland Fire & Rescue. 

July 6, 2015 (El Cajon)--Heartland Fire & Rescue is on the scene of a hazardous materials spill at 545 W. Bradley Ave. in El Cajon. San Diego County and City Haz Mat crews are on scene assisting, and the spill is currently contained.

There are no road closures, as measurements on gas monitors are within normal range, however the public is advised to avoid the area until approximately 1:15 p.m.

Helix, Padre and Otay Districts share info, tips at Chaldean Chamber meeting

By Miriam Raftery

July 5, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Representatives from Helix,  Padre Dam, and Otay Water districts spoke at a California Drought program hosted by the San Diego East County Chaldean-American Chamber of Commerce on June 24^th in La Mesa.

All three districts are working to make sure their customers comply with Governor Jerry Brown’s order for 25% cuts in water use statewide. But their approaches vary, ranging from educating consumers to offering rebates to one district readying to impose fines on heavy water users.

Here’s what you need to know:

By Mark and Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Milky Way galazy and dragon sculpture in Anza Borrego Desert; © Dennis Mammana/dennismammana.com

July 4, 2015 (Borrego Springs) – Stargazing guru Dennis Mammana has been photographing the night sky for nearly a half century and leading night sky tours for nearly thirty years.  He also teaches workshops that provide in-depth tips on how you can photograph everything from the Milky Way to constellations – and  as we discovered last weekend in Borrego, you don’t have to have a backpack full of professional camera gear to come up with some gorgeous images.

Borrego Springs in 2009 became the first designated International Dark Sky Community in California--thanks in part to the efforts of our helpful host, teacher and guide.  That means there are no bright lights at night to interview with your night-sky viewing pleasure.

Youth from the Juvenile Ranch Facility will be moved to the Camp Barrett facility by early August.

County News Service

July 3, 2015 (Camp Barrett)--Plunging juvenile populations are prompting San Diego County Probation to consolidate operations of its two camps for young people: Juvenile Ranch Facility in Campo and Camp Barrett youth facility in rural Alpine. Both camps house male youths.

Photo: Kayla Douglas of Spring  Valley landed this 5 lb. 4 oz Channel Catfish at Hermits Cove

July 1, 2015 (Lakeside) – The Lake Jennings Fish Report for July is out-with plenty of tips and news for fishing enthusiasts. The lake is open every day in July. Here are a few highlights:

East County News Service

Photo: Surveillance image from U.S. Bank

July 3, 2015 (La Mesa) - The FBI and La Mesa Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the suspect responsible for robbing the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Albertsons grocery store located at 8920 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, California, on Thursday, July 2 at 10:07 a.m.

East County News Service

July 2, 2015 (La Mesa) –June Takekawa Hsu, an 85-year-old La Mesa resident, has died of injuries sustained in a crash on northbound I-5  in Del Mar on June 24th shortly before 5 a.m. , the County Medical Examiner’s office reports.

July 2, 2015 (Ramona) – The San Diego County Fire Authority and CAL FIRE are making a major upgrade to fire and emergency medical services at the County’s Intermountain fire station. Starting July 1, new, around-the-clock paramedic service will be offered for the first time ever. The station is located east of Ramona along CA-78, a main route to Julian.

July 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – There is a lot of free summer entertainment in La Mesa this month, including concerts in the park, a movie under the stars, community theater and a walking club, not to mention a host of club activities for all ages and interests at the library.

June 30, 2015 (La Mesa)--Sharp Grossmont was honored with a 2015 Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s best hospitals for cancer care. Sharp Grossmont is just one of 331 hospitals to have earned the award by meeting the highest cancer care accreditation standards of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and other robust criteria that consider female patient satisfaction.

June 30, 2015 (La Mesa) --  On Friday, July 24, at La Mesita Park, the City of La Mesa presents the movie “Despicable Me 2” (rated PG).  The Movie starts at 8:00 pm with pre-show entertainment at 7:30 pm.  La Mesita Park is located adjacent to the Junior Seau Sports Complex at 8855 Dallas Street, La Mesa.  This is FUN family entertainment at its best -“Movie Night Under the Stars.”  

East County News Service

June 29, 2015 (Ramona) --  The annual Ramona Fireworks display, synchronized to music, will be held on July 4^th at 9 p.m. at the Ramona High School football field, after a pre-fireworks picnic and activities at Olive Pierce Middle School.  But the Ramona Rotary Club, which organizes the display, has come up short despite substantial community fundraising efforts and warns that unless substantial donations or sponsors are received, this will be the last fireworks show in Ramona.