East County News Service

June 11, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Home Start, a non-profit child abuse prevention and treatment agency that has strengthened and developed San Diego’s families and communities since 1972, has named East County resident Rick Roark as its Chief Financial Officer.

By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Star Party at Oakoasis preserve in Lakeside, Lavender Day at Summers Past Farms, Fido Fest in Santee, the Julian Dance and Back Country BBQ, Art in the Park and a firefighters breakfast in La Mesa, the San Diego Concert Band at Harry Griffith Park, a Taste of La Mesa, and the start of Santee’s summer concert series.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Queen Bee Brunch in Alpine, the Jamul Wine Tasting Festival, Julian’s Quilt Show, Santee Salutes, Julian’s star-spangled Fourth of July Parade, and the Descanso Days Parade and Fair.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry 

By Bobbi Zane

When Pat and Darrell Straube opened Orchard Hill Country Inn in 1994, they created a whole new style of lodging for the area that goes beyond the typical B&B in Julian. They have a most beautiful Craftsman setting, amenities go beyond expectation, and they are known for their customer service.

East County News Service

June 9, 2018 (San Diego) - The National Weather Service has issued a warning advising that a Southern Hemisphere swell will arrive at local beaches this weekend, peaking Sunday through Tuesday.   This will pose a hazard to beach goers, creating strong surf.  Arrows on this map, provided by forecaster Alexander Tardy, shows the broad swatch of south swell west of Hurricane Aletta off the Pacific Coast.

East County News Service

June 8, 2018 (El Cajon) – Robert Gehr got the shot of this gorgeous Mimosa blossom at Judson Park, located at the corner of North Magnolia Avenue and West Park Avenue in El Cajon.

East County News Service

June 8, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) -- The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College invites you to “Sips and Succulents” on Wednesday, June 27 from 6 to 7 p.m.

Enjoy a summer evening garden tour. Go Green- and bring your own glass to fill with wine and maybe even succulents! Docent Kathryn Clayton shares some of her favorite gardening and design tips with succulents.

Members $10, Non-Members $15

Register HERE

East County News Service

June 8, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD), a public agency that supports various nonprofit health-related community programs and services in the East County Region, will host a free question-and-answer forum about its community grants program from 4 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 19, at the GHD Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Community-based healthcare organizations providing health-related services to local residents are invited to attend to learn more about GHD’s community grants program.

By Miriam Raftery

June 8, 2018 (Sacramento) –  In the June primary races for statewide offices, The Governor’s race will see a run-off between Lieutenant. Governor Gavin Newsom and Republican businessman John Cox. (See our story.)  

Republicans are shut out of the Lieutenant Governor run-off between two Democrats, Eleni Kounalakis and Ed Hernandez.

Democrat Alex Padilla won his race for Secretary of State outright with over 51% of the vote. 

 Incumbent Attorney General Xavier Becerra, A Democrat who has filed numerous lawsuits against the Trump administration on issues ranging from environmental protections to immigration, won over 45% of the vote, not enough to win outright.  He will square off against Republican Steven Bailey, who finished ahead of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, a Democrat.

East County News Service

June 7, 2018 (El Cajon) - Families and folks of all ages are welcomed to the Rancho San Diego Library (11555 Via Rancho San Diego) for their annual Celebrate the USA event, an old-fashioned Fourth of July festival. This event will be taking place Saturday, June 30^th  from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free for all ages.

By Annie Greenberg

June 7, 2018 (Alpine) -- Linda Cioffi is on a mission: to help find a cure for Alzheimer's in her lifetime.  Her annual fundraiser, Quest for the Cure, is this Friday, June 8, from 4 p.m. to8 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center Grand Ballroom. The community is invited to attend and enjoy opportunity drawings and a silent auction. The grand prize for the opportunity drawing will be a luxury staycation at a beach or bayfront home in San Diego with area theme park tickets. Other items include a Barona Casino package with spa and golf, and a Palm Springs getaway.

By Miriam Raftery

June 7, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – El Cajon resident Clyde Ray Chappell, 58, died at Sharp Memorial. from blunt force injuries suffered in a vehicle accident that occurred on June 2^nd. 

Chappell was the rear passenger of a vehicle traveling north on State Route 67 through Lakeside when the driver lost control approaching Winter Gardens Blvd. The vehicle left the roadway and Chappell was ejected.

Witnesses called 9-1-1 and first responders transported the victim to Sharp Memorial, a trauma center, where despite aggressive resuscitative efforts, he was pronounced dead at 1 a.m. on June 3^rd.

By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2018 (Sacramento) – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein won 43.8% of the vote in a primary—four times the number of votes won by any of her three dozen or so challengers. But she fell short of the 50% needed to win outright.  So in the fall, a run-off between Feinstein and likely second-place finisher Kevin De Leone, former State Senate president, apears the likely scenario.

By Ken Stone, credit to Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Diane Harkey (left) with a supporter at Golden Hall in downtown San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone

June 6, 2018 (San Diego) - In a race Democrats are eager to win to increase their strength in Washington, Republican Diane Harkey grabbed the lead Tuesday evening in the battle to replace retiring Rep. Darrell Issa, but a Democrat appears bound to challenge her in the November runoff.

By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2018 (Cleveland National Forest)—Nathalie Reed, a 20-year-old woman from Lemon Grove, died last night on at Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest.

Reed was hiking with a friend when her friend saw that she had become dehydrated and hypothermic. Reed fell into bushes and a bystander called 911, the Medical Examiner's report states.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call for help from Cal-Fire at 5:49 p.m. . Medical personnel along with deputies and a Sheriff’s helicopter arrived to find the victim was deceased, Sg. Chris Galve reports.

Update June 8, 2018 11 a.m. -- Cause of the fire has been determined to be a campfire on private land. The fire is now 85% contained.

Update June 7, 2018 10 a.m. -- Cal Fire reports the fire is holding at 265 acres and is now 30% contained. 

Update 4:30 p.m.: The fire is now 265 acres and 5% contaiued with forward spread stop. Evacuations have been lifted but a soft closure remains at La Posta Rd., Cal Fire reports.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mark Siegmund, who called 911 to report the fire.

June 6, 2018 (Campo) – Cal Fire reports a fire called the #RecycleFire has burned 150 acres in Campo, prompting evacuation warnings for residents on North Campo Truck Trail.  The blaze is 0% contained.

The fire has caused closure of La Posta Road at State Route 94. The fire was reported at 10:24 a.m. in the 31000 block of highway 94.