East County News Service

Photos: Hannah Anderson, James DiMaggio

July 31, 2015 (Lakeside) –According to law enforcement, James DiMaggio kidnapped Lakeside teen Hannah Anderson after first  torturing and murdering her mother and brother, then setting fire to his home in Boulevard with their bodies inside.  The crimes triggered a multi-state manhunt that ended when FBI agents killed DiMaggio in the Idaho wilderness where he had taken Anderson, after he fired a shot first. 

But now DiMaggio’s sister, Lora DiMaggio Robinson, has filed a claim with the FBI and also plans to file a lawsuit in Idaho federal court next week, 10 News reports. She seeks over $20 million damages from the FBI for what she claims was a wrongful death, plus personal injury and property damage.

Her lawyer, C. Keith Greer, told NBC 7 TV that "Robinson knows that her brother was a very kind man, certainly not one to shoot at an FBI agent.”

By Kristin Kjaero

August 1, 2015 (La Mesa) – What a vibrant community we live in! August boasts five free concerts, three free movie screenings, two theater productions, the annual Helix High All Class Picnic, and the annual heART of Mt. Helix. There are free clubs for every age and interest at the La Mesa Library, a broad range of activities at the La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, and a number of classes at the La Mesa Community Center start in August. For those who love nature there are a number of activities as Mission Trails Regional Park and the Water Conservation Garden, and for the fitness oriented there are several walking groups, aquatics, and even a boot camp. Get out and find your bliss, and while you’re at it meet your neighbors.

July 30, 2015 (Alpne) In an effort to increase the safety of children at Joan McQueen Middle School, the County will be installing new traffic signs on Tavern near the school.   This effort was spearheaded by Mr. Murali Pasumarthi at the prompting of Kristen Gauss, JMMS Principal Jon McEvoy and Planning Group Members Tom Myers and Lou Russo.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left: McCain Valley, site of planned 14,000 acre wind project

Photo, right: Blades being hoisted onto wind turbine in Ocotillo

Updated July 31, 2015 10 p.m. to include comments from SDG&E and from Howard Cook, former Jacumba Sponsor Group Chair.

July 30, 2015 (McCain Valley)—Southern California Edison has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement with Iberdrola Renewables to buy electricity from the Tule Wind project planned in McCain Valley near Boulevard.

“We are still actively opposing Tule Wind and hope it never gets built,” Donna Tisdale told East County Magazine. Tisdale and the citizens’ group Backcountry Against Dumps have two legal challenges pending. Tisdale also chairs the Boulevard Community Planning Group, which voted against the project but was overruled by the San Diego County Supervisors, with Supervisor Dianne Jacob voting no and four other Supervisors voting for the project.

The agreement covers the first phase of the 14,000-acre project, which includes 67 turbines on federal Bureau of Land Management property at the gateway to the McCain Valley federal recreation area, as well as on privately-owned Rough Acres Ranch.

July 30, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce was proud to host a gift giving activity in partnership with the Town & Country Resort & Convention Center. "Christmas in July” allowed toys to be given to the La Mesa City Employees Association, who will distribute them to deserving children during this year’s holiday season.

July 28, 2015 (Fletcher Hills)--The Fletcher Hills Highlands Association’s Board of Directors and Median Improvement Committee announce the completion of the Valley Lake Median Beautification Project.

By Miriam Raftery

July 28, 2015 (Pine Valley)—Angered by the inflammatory and possibly unlawful actions of Pine Valley Municipal Water Company’s chairman Flip Boerman and board, Pine Valley residents/shareholders will convene a town hall meeting on August 2^nd at 3 p.m. in the Pine Valley Community Center.

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.