Click to view a video tour by Angela Kurysh including full interview with Pam Meisner, or view the embedded video below this story.
April 24, 2021 (El Cajon) - The Water Conservation Garden, a beautiful and serene East County treasure located on Cuyamaca College’s campus, is open to the public for educational and recreational enjoyment.
The Garden hosts events for people of all ages. Adults can enjoy outdoor yoga classes, educational workshops and online seminars. Children can spend time with Ms. Smarty-Plants, a character created by the Director of Operations Pam Meisner.
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March 21, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring than to hike to one of the most beautiful places in East County, Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest?
Scott Lagace made the trip this week with friends. The trail is a steep two-mile hike down and two miles back -- all uphill.
Despite these challenges, Lagace says,"It was a beautiful hike there and back. The falls was flowing beautifully. It was amazing at a distance and close up. I would definitely do this hike again. Just got to remember to take the road from the Julian side, not Descanso!"
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December 4, 2020 (Descanso) – Ana and Al Ruvalcaba of Descanso sent in this video of a mule deer buck and doe in their yard.
“In the video you’ll see him and his companion eating berries off of a Toyon brush tree while I’m recording from inside my house,” Ana says. “They have been coming by since Nov. 23rd.”
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November 25, 2020 (San Diego) -- Lots of smiles, tears of joy, surprise and speechless reactions greeted Sheriff's Deputies Saturday who partnered with a holiday helper for a mission of kindness. The local businessman, who asked to stay anonymous, donated $30,000 in cash and $2,000 in grocery gift cards to help struggling local families.
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November 24, 2020 (San Diego's East County) -- What’s it like to scale El Cajon Mountain, often called El Capitan, one of the most impressive peaks in East County?
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October 24, 2020 (San Diego) - County emergency responders have a new tool to help keep homeowners in unincorporated areas safe during a wildfire or medical emergency. It’s called a Knox Box and when it comes to being prepared for disaster… this may be just the key.
Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.
September 8, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) -- San Diego County Animal Services is working with partner agencies to care for animals whisked away from fire danger. Animal Services staff are providing care and refuge for animals at multiple sites. This video is courtesy of the County, however some information has changed; see below for updates on evacuation of large animals.
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August 14, 2020 (San Diego's East County) -- Local resident Richard Edwords of Alpine is a water tender who has been working fire lines in Riverside County. He sent in these two dramatic videos of the #AppleFire there, which is now 90% contained after burning over 33,000 acres.
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July 16, 2020 (La Mesa) -- Helix Water District’s new demonstration landscape, located at its administration office in La Mesa, is complete. The project beautifies the neighborhood and inspires others to install WaterSmart landscaping.
The demonstration landscape includes three unique water-wise gardens on the streets around the building, including a Mediterranean garden on University Avenue, a desert landscape on Lee Avenue and a California native landscape along the building’s main entrance on Quince Street. Each is full of flowers, colors and textures.
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June 12, 2020 (El Cajon) - Texas Roadhouse restaurant in El Cajon is back open after the COVID-19 shutdown and already drawing a wait list. Arrive before five for some great dinner specials. I got a tender BBQ pulled pork dinner with all the fixings for just $10.99, chilling out with an Armadillo Punch.
As an added bonus, enjoy some dancing cowboys and cowgirls -- actually the wait staff, kicking up their heels with some Western-style line dancing. Yeehaw!
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November 26, 2019 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells played saxophone and sang at the East County Transitional Living Center's fundraising dinner on November 14, 2019 at the Shadow Hills Community Church Center, accompanied by Jonni Glaser on saxophone.
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September 20, 2019 (Campo) – Guests kicked up their heels in more ways than one at the Campo Creek Vineyards first-ever Grape Picking and Stomping Party on September 7th.
Wine club members and other visitors first got a taste of what it’s like to pick grapes, getting tips on harvesting ripe Pinot Noir grapes on the vines.
Located on a cattle ranch that dates back to 1888, the vineyard now has 10,000 vines and the winery produces hand-crafted wines, many with labels featuring cattle, cowboys and ranching themes.
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September 6, 2019 (Ramona) – Amina, a baby camel at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, enjoys frolicking in fresh pine shavings. To view more camel videos, visit www.CamelDairy.com.
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Update September 18, 2019: Cal Fire has issued corrections on inacccurate information provided in a County press release and video. This plane and others are set to be given to Cal Fire by the federal government, not sold. The planes are not yet equipped with fire retardant and are not slated to arrive in Califiornia likely for a couple of years, according to Cal Fire Captain and Public Information Officer Issac Sanchez. See our full update: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/cal-fire-issues-corrections-c-130-pla....
August 30, 2019 (Ramona) -- A C-130 air tanker on loan in Ramona has been used to train additional pilots this past week. Ultimately, Cal Fire’s goal is to purchase a C-130 to permanently base in our region, says Cal Fire spokesman Isaac Sanchez.
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May 31, 2019 (Ramona) - Looking for a challenging hike? Look no further than Mt. Gower County Preserve in Ramona. The preserve has approximately 8 miles of multi-use trails, including the Mt. Gower Ridge trail.
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By James Kecskes, County of San Diego Communications Office
May 10, 2019 (San Diego) - CAL FIRE and the County Fire Authority say don’t let the rainy weather fool you … fire season will be here before you know it. You should have a plan and be prepared now to protect yourself, your home and your community.
Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.
Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.
By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office
March 28, 2019 (Julian) - The time to go is now! Check out some of the beautiful flowers and green landscapes at Agua Caliente County Park. There’s probably only 1-2 weeks left of the peak bloom season at the park, so make plans and don’t forget to bring your camera!
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March 21, 2019 (Anza-Borrego) -- Our editor, Miriam Raftery, took these two videos of Bighorn sheep along Montezuma Valley Road, the steep grade into Anza-Borrego Desert State park. If you're heading to Borrego, which means "Bighorn," keep a sharp eye out for these desert denizens along rocky slopes.
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March 3, 2019 (Borrego) -- Anza Borrego Desert Park has posted a video of wildflowers blooming early across the desert, along with tips on what you should know if you plan to go wildflower watching.
Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.
Local news in the public interest is more important now than ever, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our reporters, as essential workers, are dedicated to keeping you informed, even though we’ve had to cancel fundraising events. Please give the gift of community journalism by donating at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate.
By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office
January 30, 2019 (Lake Morena) - How about a fun, easy hike for the entire family?
The Nature Trail at Lake Morena County Park offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains and the lake. It’s just a half-mile and full of history. It even joins up with the popular Pacific Crest Trail!
Try out the trail here before hitting it with your family.
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December 9, 2018 (Borrego Springs) - It’s official, the new County Library, park and Sheriff’s office are open for business in Borrego Springs. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony took place this afternoon, kicking off a community celebration with music, artists, animals and tours of the new library and Sheriff’s office. The two buildings and park all share a 19-acre property.
The library branch is the larger of the two buildings and sits on 2.6 acres. The facility measures three times the size of the previous one and includes 2,215 square feet of community meeting space, a 330 square foot conference room, separate areas for children and teens, a technology center with a 3D printer, and a Friends of the Library Book Nook and Conversation Café.
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September 28, 2018 (Ramona) -- The County has opened a stretch of trail in another section of Ramona Grasslands County Preserve. The Old Survey Road 97 Trail has been closed to the public due to many sensitive species including golden eagles that live and forage in the preserve. Now, the trail is available on a trial basis - to a limited number of people who pass a seasonal permit test - from 8 a.m. until sunset on Saturdays and Sundays now through Nov. 15. To visit, you must watch a quick video and take a short survey, confirming you understand the “dos” and “don’ts” of this unique wildlife habitat.
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September 8, 2018 (Julian) - Get motivated to do the 3-mile hike to Volcan Mountain Summit near Julian by watching this 360-degree video.
Visit sdparks.org for information on all our County trails.
To watch 360-degree videos, you’ll need the latest version of Chrome, Opera, Firefox or MS Edge on your computer. For mobile devices, use the latest version of the YouTube app.
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August 10, 2018 (Lakeside) – Weasels haven’t been seen for five years at Lakeside’s Lindo Lake County Park. But this morning, photographer Billy Ortiz videotaped a welcome sight: a weasel has returned.
“This weasel brings me more joy than any other animal, just cracks me up watching its antics,” he wrote on Facebook.
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August 9, 2018 (Ramona) - It has been a record-breaking hot summer in San Diego County. With temperatures hitting triple digits in our backcountry areas, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE San Diego and other agencies have been busy rescuing hikers who didn't prepare for the heat and sometimes treacherous terrain.
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August 8, 2018 (El Cajon) – Cajon Valley students put on a ‘50s musical performance at El Cajon’s Classic Cars night this evening in Downtown El Cajon. Thanks to Jill Barto for sharing this video: https://www.facebook.com/cvusd/videos/10155942006118924/
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August 3, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - Coyotes always seem to be getting a bad rap. They’re usually villains in the movies and cartoons, and when they pop up in the news, it’s never good.
But recent coyote sightings are often due to things that we, as residents of the surrounding communities, are doing to attract them into our neighborhoods – like leaving dog food and cat food outside.
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July 11, 2018 (Alpine) - A local assistance center has been set up at the Alpine Library following the recent West Fire, that destroyed homes in the Alpine community, and the Building Fire.
The County of San Diego, along with other community partners, has experts stationed there so that fire victims can get everything they need to know in one central location.
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