By Robert Gehr ã 2015

April 4, 2015 (El Cajon)--Look around, you will see that spring has arrived and a hot summer is fast approaching. The warm days seem to inspire many species of plants into an explosion of green growth and a kaleidoscope of color.

Ambulance responses in our region raise alarms:  Part III in a series

By Miriam Raftery

April 3, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – AS we reported, effective April 1^st the County has shifted to Mercy as its new ambulance provider for rural East County.  After residents raised concerns over coverage, response times and mutual aid, we asked Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s office for a response.

Friday, April 3, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Making literal the Easter message of a new day for 90 years now, Easter Sunrise services will be held again on Sunday, April 5 at 6:30 a.m. in the Mt. Helix Park amphitheater, where early birds can start their holiday celebration amidst the splendor of the Park's awe inspiring 360˚ view.

April 3, 2015 (Potrero) – Steve Kowit, well-known poet, author, teacher and Potrero resident, passed away this morning following heart surgery  Kowit taught at Southwestern College and San Diego State University, mentored many, and inspired a generation of local writers through his teaching, readings and writings.

He was distinguished by his many awards for poetry, which include the National Endowment Fellowship in Poetry, two Pushcart Prizes, the Atlanta Review Poetry Prize, the Ouroboros Book Award, the 2006 Tampa Review Poetry Prize, and most recently the San Diego Theodore Geisel Award.

April 1, 2015 (La Mesa)—All the Perks Espresso Café has announced a 15-day fundraiser to benefit young, disadvantaged families of U.S. soldiers. From April 1 through April 15, the coffee shop at 8046 La Mesa Blvd. (in the La Mesa Springs Shopping Center) will donate 10% of sales to Support the Enlisted Project (STEP). The shop will also be a collection point where customers can drop off donated diapers, wipes, clothing, toys, household items, infant car seats, strollers, cribs, high chairs, items for new families, retail and grocery gift cards.

March 30, 2015 (Lakeside)—The Lakeside Community Planning Group announces a vacancy to fill; Laura Cyphert cited travel commitments in her resignation letter.

A little April Fool's Day Fun.

By Barry Pickens

April  1, 2015 (La Mesa)—After months of torn-up streets for revitalization of La Mesa’s downtown village, the city has unveiled its new landscaping plan.

“Today we are pleased to announce an Edible Forest for La Mesa,” said Mayor Mark Arapostathis, plucking a ripe apple off a newly planted tree beside city hall.  “All residents are welcome to help plant, harvest, and savor the fruits of these labors.”

One side of La Mesa Boulevard will be planted in grapevines and the other side will feature hops vines, thus sustaining the city’s burgeoning winemaking and craft brewery businesses.  There will also be a community vineyard and hops haven outside the La Mesa community center.

East County News Service

March 31, 2015(San Diego) – SDG&E has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use unmanned drones to conduct aerial inspections of its gas and electrical facilities in rural East County.

East County News Service

March 30, 2015 (Jamul)—Jamul’s Fire Station now has paramedics on every fire engine.  Starting in mid-March, Jamul has had three paramedics to provide advanced life support services that emergency medical technicians can’t provide—such as administering IV medications and defibrillation of heart attack patients.

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2015 (Ramona)—A 4-year-old boy drowned in a swimming pool March 21^st at a neighbor’s home in Ramona.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - As fish stories go, this one is a whopper.

A fisherman at Lake Cuyamaca this weekend has reeled in a rainbow trout weighing 17 pounds, 8 ounces—the biggest ever caught at the lake.

By Miriam Raftery

March 26, 2015 (Santee) – Randy Voepel, Santee’s Mayor for the past 15 years, has thrown his hat in the ring to run for the 71^st State Assembly seat that Brian Jones is vacating due to term limits, SD Rostra reports. He’ll be running against Michael Harrison, who works for Congressman Duncan Hunter and previously worked for Hunter’s father when he served in Congress.

East County News Service

March 26, 2015 (La Mesa) -A bicyclist is in critical condition after being involved in a collision with an armored currency transport vehicle in La Mesa.

March 26, 2015 (Ramona) --Envision Color, creative artworks studio and supplies is now open for business at 733 Main Street.  Proud owners Carli Walsh and Donna Parsons have teamed up to provide Old Town Ramona with a much needed multimedia art studio offering artistic opportunities to all ages and abilities. No experience is required, just the passion for creating.

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2015 (Ramona) - An application for a medical marijuana collective in Ramona has been submitted to the County of San Diego. If approved, it would be the county’s second legally licensed medical marijuana facility, situated in an industrial-zoned building at 1210 Olive Street.