East County News Service

September 11, 2025 (Ramona) – The victim of a fatal shooting in Ramona on Sept. 7 has been identified as Felipe Ascencio of Ramona.  Deputies responding to a call reporting the shooting found him inside a home in the 700 block of Eight St. and called for paramedics, but he died of a gunshot wound at the scene.

By Karen Pearlman

September 11, 2025 (San Diego County) -- San Miguel Fire Consolidated Protection District is taking the lead in challenging a San Diego County Civil Grand Jury report released earlier this year that recommends consolidation of fire protection districts around San Diego County, and recommending that “willing” districts become part of the San Diego County Fire Protection District. The goal is to improve fire protection services.

San Miguel Fire Chief Andy Lawler is pushing back against a narrative that recommends standalone fire districts like his become part of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). Alpine Fire also aims to stay independent, while some other districts have already relinquished local control, in most cases voluntarily though one community fought consolidation in court.

A few thoughts by some of your Julian neighbors

By Susan Stevenson, David Shorey, Greg Schuett, Carrie Danielson, Chris Reed

Photo via White House: President Donald Trump signing H.R., the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act", on July 4, 2025

September 10, 2025 (San Diego) -- When people talk about H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” it’s not just Washington politics to us. We think about what it means for our own pocketbooks, and the truth is, the bill isn’t so beautiful after all.

The bigger standard deduction means we’ll see a little more money in our paychecks. The expanded child tax credit helps families like ours get by, and the promise that tips and overtime won’t be taxed gives us some breathing room. On paper, it looks like a win.

But the other side of the coin is troubling. Nonpartisan experts say the bill adds trillions to the national debt, which our kids and grandkids will be stuck with. The benefits for families like ours expire in just a couple of years, while big corporations lock in permanent tax cuts. Ordinary people get short-term help; the powerful get long-term gains.

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2025 (Shelter Valley) – The community of Shelter Valley, between Julian and Borrego Springs, is safer today thanks to a new 3,000-gallon water truck just added to Cal Fire’s Station 62 here. 

Update:  At least 3 mobile home parks are burning, per air attack, ECM has learned.  Planes and helicopters are on scene.  An addition 15 engines and 2 helicopters have been requested by incident command and air attack. 

Evacuees can go to Viejas Casino.

September 8, 2025 (Lakeside) -- There is an immediate structure threat from the #CochesFire that started minutes ago on the I-8 business loop east of Las Coches Road, Watch Duty App reports.

An evacuation order has been issued for Zone SDC-1683 on the Genasys Evacuation Map. This zone is also viewable on the Watch Duty map.

Adopt a senior pet and receive free veterinary services

East County News Service

September 7, 2025 (Ramona) -- Frosted Faces Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping senior animals and the people who love them, unveiled its new Community Veterinary Center next door to the organization’s rescue facility at 1448 Pine Street in Ramona.

By Alexander J. Schorr

“My opinions about vaccines are irrelevant. I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me.” — Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Human Health Secretary. 

September 6, 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- The future for vaccines and access to them in the U.S .is shaky at best after a clash between the Health and Human Services secretary and members of Congress in a bipartisan grilling. Following a mass firing at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), access to vaccines guarding against the newest COVID-19 strain is a point of concern, especially with the leadership consisting of mainly loyal anti-vaxxers.

Recent federal policy changes have led to a confusion among healthcare providers and could cause issues with vaccine availability and insurance coverage for children and adults under age 65. A key question from the hearing was whether anyone could still get a COVID shot now if they wanted to. The short answer is ”no.”

The future availability of COVID-19 vaccines for children, including newborns, is uncertain due to recent policy changes at the federal level contrasting with health and state authorities’ medical advice, as well as the consensus among doctors’ professional organizations. Vaccine availability may depend on factors such as your location, healthcare provider, and potential insurance or program coverage.

Update: Forward progress has been halted. The fire has been mapped at 75 acres and evacuation orders have been lifted, Watch Duty App reports.

East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts

Photo, right by Henri Migala

September 5, 2025 (Spring Valley ) -- Level 3 "go now" evacuations have been ordered in zone SDC-2153 in Spring Valley due to the fast-moving #LodgeFire, which started near Jamacha Blvd. and Double Tree Road a short time ago.  View the Genasys evacuation map.

The brush fire has charred 30 aces and has potential to burn 200-300 acres, per Cal Fire. Aircraft includng fixed-wing plane and helicopters are battling the blaze along with ground crews; Cal Fire asked people to avoid the area. Two large air tankers have been requested.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Fire officials with an SDG&E Blackhawk helicopter

September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) – Firefighting helicopters from multiple agencies were on display during a press conference held Aug. 26 at SDG&E's hangar at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. 

Officials touted aerial assets and cooperative efforts as we enter the highest danger season, though wildfires now occur year-round.

Fire officials urged the public to help prevent fires, keep drones away from fire scenes, and be prepared in case evacuation becomes necessary.

East County News Service

Photo: “In Trouble” depicts a twisting bronc as it tries to throw its rider. It is the artist’s best known etching.

September 5, 2025 (El Cajon) -- The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center in El Cajon opens an exhibition of the Etchings of Olaf Wieghorst on Friday, September 12 and runs through October 10. Twenty-six original etchings created by Olaf Wieghorst between 1937 and 1940 along with an original copper etching plate will be displayed.  

Novel by Donald McInnis 

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

September 4, 2025 (San Diego) --Blood in the Water, though fictional, exposes a flaw in the United States’ tripartite federal government structure as established in the Constitution. 

By Seraphina Eberhardt

Photo: "Cannabis Understands - 2017" by Jurassic Blueberries is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

September 4, 2025 (San Diego) -- New data shows a concerning trend: today’s high-potency cannabis products are linked to sharp increases in youth mental health crises, hospital visits, and addiction. On July 16, community members gathered for an important briefing hosted by the San Diego Imperial Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and the International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis (IASIC).