By Miriam Raftery

April 8, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –April is Women’s History Month.   It’s an appropriate time to share a story about a remarkable woman from East County’s past. Helen Gerrells Stoddard, a former resident of La Mesa , Lemon Grove and Ramona, was a prominent leader in the fight to win women the right to vote,  as well as a leader efforts that led to La Mesa becoming a city. She even earned a place in history at the national political level.

By Kristin Kjaero

April 7, 2015 (La Mesa) -- It was a perfect spring day in La Mesa for the outdoor swearing in of the new Police Chief, Walt Vasquez (photo, left), joined by his family (photo, below right).  The charisma and popularity he brings with him was clear to see in the size and responsiveness of the crowd.

Vasquez began his career in law enforcement in 1986 with the San Diego Police Department, where he rose through the ranks to captain, most recently overseeing SDPD's SWAT team, Canine Unit, communications,  property room, information services, and the chief's community advisory boards. 

Not surprisingly given this background, his speech today expressed the values he places on public service, teamwork, and community policing.

Below and in video, we give you Chief Vasquez's speech in full.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Cleveland National Forest, courtesy National Forest Service

April 6, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—The Republican-controlled House and Senate have passed measures that would allow the sale or outright giveaway of most public lands –including national forests, federal wildernesses and  wildlife preserves and Bureau of Land Management properties.  Only Republicans voted for the language slipped into a non-binding budget resolution—which passed without a single Democratic vote. 

The shocking news is revealed in a New York Times editorial by Will Rogers, president of the Trust for Public Lands, titled “Our Land, Up for Grabs.”  

While it’s unlikely that President Barack Obama would support such an extreme measure, if a Republican president is elected in 2016 and Republicans maintains control of both houses of Congress, losing our cherished public lands such could be a very real possibility.

Here in San Diego County alone, that could mean the demise of:  Cleveland National Forest,  Otay Mountain Wildnerness, Hauser Wilderness, Pine Creek , Carrizo Gorge, Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness , Agua Tibia Wilderness, San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge , Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, McCain Valley National Recreation Area and more.

East County News Service

Photo: Amanda Heller

April 5, 2015 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Historical will host a series of events in May and June, including “History Alive” lectures, history essay awards, and a showing of short films from around the world.  Below is a full schedule of events scheduled:

East County News Service

April 4, 2015 (City Heights)—A suspect is under arrest for suspected Arson in City Heights.  The Metro Arson Strike Team announced the arrest of 24-year-old Rolando Resendiz.

April 5, 2015 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Rodeo has been an annual tradition in Lakeside for the past 51 years. 

This year’s event features Western-style entertainment and events that include bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, roping competitions, bull riding, and for youngsters, stick horse riding.

World champion trick roper Rider Keisner will be performing, In addition, the  Budweiser Clydesdale horses will also make an appearance at some (though not all) rodeo performances, with public viewings also scheduled.

April 5, 2015 (Lemon Grove) –The Lemon Grove Council will meet on Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. in the Lemon Grove Community Center (3146 School Lane). 

This week, Council will consider  an agreement with San Diego Unified School District to house and staff a mass decontamination unit. Council will also review goals and priorities from its Strategic Planning workshop and hear a motion to reject all bids received on a sewer upsizing project.

April 3, 2015 (El Cajon )—El Cajon’s second annual America on Main Street festival will be held on Saturday, May 16^th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.  This family-fun celebration honoring the American spirit will feature four stages with live entertainment, a Ferris wheel, petting zoo, pony rides and hay rides.

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.