January 24, 2015 (El Cajon) - Randy Jordan sent in this photo of the new Jimmie Johnson street sign, named after the 5-time NASCAR champion from El Cajon.

January 17, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – “No more uninterrupted horizons,” laments Wayne Brammer, who took this photo of wind turbines recently built in Mexico, viewed from I-8 eastbound in Boulevard.

December 25, 2014 (El Cajon )- Robert Gehr snapped these photos of  store windows in El Cajon, where many local shops are showing their holiday spirit.

December 18, 2014 (Ocotillo) ---Photographer Daren Sefcik sent in this intriguing image.  He states, “On just the right day and wind conditions one could believe that the wind turbines cross the road. Of course this is not true but on a certain part of the highway it can look that way.”

December 8, 2014 (Ramona) -- Kristin Kjaero snapped this pic of holiday ornaments made at a party for wine club members at Hacienda de las Rosa Winery in Ramona on Sunday. She titled her creation, decked out in sunglasses and holiday lighted antlers, "Climate adapted reindeer." Cheers!

December 3, 2014 (Lakeside) – Photographer Randy Jordan sent in these images, taken at the Bulls Only Rodeo in Lakeside in July.   The photos show a kids’ event, “mutton busting,” as well as a rider demonstrating bull riding skills for the press.

By Miriam Raftery

November 13, 2014(Borrego Springs) -- You just never know what you'll see along the highways in East County. Our editor snapped these images at Butterfield Ranch Resort, an RV park and horse camp named for the historic stage coach line that once ran through the area.

The roadside stop has an eclectic collection of statues featuring Western wildlife, as well as an old horse and buggy and other Western memorability, a store and more.

October 26, 2016 (El Cajon)--Robert Gehr of El Cajon snapped this photo of a morning glory flower growing on a fence in his neighborhood.  He writes, “A glowing beauty befitting its name.”

Photos by Tom and Nadin Abbott, Reporting San Diego

Sep. 16, 2014 (San Diego) “El Grito de Dolores” signaled the beginning of the war of independence from Spain by Mexico. Every year in every plaza and government building in Mexico the head of the local government comes out at midnight to recreate the act at the church in Dolores, state of Hidalgo.

September 3, 2014 (Jacumba) – “It’s impossible to gauge the size of this substation from this photo. It’s huge,” Wayne Brammer writes of the still-under-construction ECO substation project that SDG&E is building in rural Jacumba.

August 29,2014 (El Cajon) – Maintaining many miles of power lines is a time-consuming task.  Robert Gehr documented what’s involved on August 23, when San Diego Gas & Electric technicians replaced an electrical pole and transformer on west Park Avenue in El Cajon with photos and notes below.

August 23, 2014 (Ocotillo)--Photographer Jim Pelley’s home is now surrounded on three sides by the Ocotillo wind facility built on public lands, despite promises when he purchased his home that the views would be protected forever.  He sent in these images to vent his frustration over the despoiled views of nature that drew him to this desert community.

August 10, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Robert Gehr snapped this photo(s) during National Night Out on August 5 at the El Cajon Police Department.  “Low civilian turnout was a bit disappointing, yet that meant no crowds,” he writes. “Games for the kids, face painting as well. SWAT display, mini fire truck rides, hot dogs, Sheriff mounted patrol, K-9 and SWAT demonstrations, and lots of camaraderie amongst Police personnel.” This annual event was also free.”

Hear our interview at the Ramona Fund for Animals Wildlife Center: http://kiwi6.com/file/6sce6l835w

By Miriam Raftery

August 7, 2014 (Ramona) – The Ramona Fund for Animals Wildlife Center is one of only three facilities in San Diego County that rehabilitate injured or ill wildlife for release back into the wild. Currently the Center is nursing back to health two coyote pups found with burned feet during the May wildfires.

The Center, founded by Cleveland Amory, also has some permanent residents that cannot be rereleased, including  a hand-raised captive cougar in these photos (shot through the bars of its enclosure). This mountain lion was reported by a local veterinarian after its owner, who purchased it illegally from out of state, brought the cub in for a “well kitten” checkup.