By Kylie Dees

View video, left, to watch the full interviews

April 7, 2022 (Lemon Grove) -- Hunter’s Nursery, located in Lemon Grove, California, was started in 1919 by Howard Hunter. He began by running an orchard, growing lemons and oranges. It has been in the Hunter family all 103 years. 

Kendall Rhodes is a fourth-generation owner of the nursery, along with her dad. Rhodes explained that the nursery has a wide variety of ornamental plants for the yard. They also have a huge selection of house plants, along with cactuses and succulents. Many customers are now trying to grow their own food, so the Nursery now specializes in fruit trees and vegetables. They also feature a variety of roses, in a wide range of colors and sizes.

"Roses are fun to grow and fun to have as a part of your garden!” Rhodes told us.

By Matthew Manosh

Scroll down to links to videos from vigils

March 1, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- Local Ukrainian-Americans gathered in demonstrations these past few days in solidarity with their nation, which is under attack from Russian forces. Thursday night,  a prayer vigil was held in Santee on a vacant lot, where there are plans to build a Ukrainian Catholic Church. Father Yurii Sas of St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church in San Diego led his congregation in prayer and song, asking for God to protect his people in the Ukraine:

East County News Service

November 8, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) -- Cynthia Robertson spotted this herd of bison while on a day trip in route to Lake Henshaw in San Diego’s East County. 

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!"

East County News Service

View video: https://vimeo.com/483714601  

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.

By Jose Eli Villanueva, County of San Diego Communications Office

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.

Contact us to see if you qualify.

Call:  858-974-5744 

Email:  FireCRR@sdcounty.ca.gov 

Visit:  sandiegocounty.gov/sdcfa 

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.

By Miriam Raftery 

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!

By Miriam Raftery

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 7^th. 

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.

East County News Service

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.

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.

Learn more at readysandiego.org.

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!

East County News Service

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.

https://www.facebook.com/AnzaBorrego/videos/2668093956566649/

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.