5:20 p.m.: Firefighters have stopped the forward rate of spread at 8 acres. Ground crews will continue to mop up and put out any spot fires.

8:45 p.m.: No news is good news.

By Jonathan Goetz

August 11, 2021 -- The #BambiFire in Alpine, north of I-8 on Viejas tribal lands and within the Cleveland National Forest has burned approximately 7-11 acres.

The Incident Commander was overheard calling for help to save Ma Tar Awa RV Park, according to SD County Fire Scanner. NBC San Diego showed dramatic live video from a helicopter of the fire stopped just yards from structures in the park.

The last word was moderate rate of spread, but it is unclear if some resources were cancelled en route, which may mean firefighters think they have a good handle on the situation.

Deerhorn Valley Vineyards wins two gold medals

Source:  Deerhorn Valley Vineyards

August 10, 2021 (Jamul) - The results are in in the professionally judged Wine Competition, May 22-23 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for the annual Toast of the Coast Wine Competition. Deerhorn Valley Vineyards of Jamul, recently was awarded 2 gold medals as a result. The competition awarded gold and silver medals along with the Double Gold Award, which is reserved for the finest wines deemed worthy by a three-judge panel. In addition, Director’s Awards were given to the top performing wines in each varietal or blended category as merited.

San Diego River Park Foundation cleanup opportunity for Santee's Forester Creek

Community service hours can be verified!

East County News Service

August 10, 2021 (Santee) - Each year, San Diego River Park Foundation volunteers remove more than 200,000 pounds of trash from our river. Without their amazing volunteers, this trash would be left to pollute native animal habitats, create unsightly piles in our parks and public spaces, leach contaminants into the water, and could be washed out into our ocean and beaches!

YOU can help with this critical work by cleaning up storm water debris and litter this Saturday, August 17 at Forester Creek in Santee from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.

By Miriam Raftery

August 9, 2021 (La Mesa) – La Mesa voters will have six candidates on their ballot for a Nov. 2 special election to fill the vacancy left by Dr. Akilah Weber’s election to the state Assembly. Some candidates who pulled papers did not qualify or dropped out, and one is a last-minute entry.

Here are the six candidates who have qualified:

By CalMatters staff, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters

Photo:  An early voting sign at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters office in Kearney Mesa in November 2020. Photo by Chris Stone

August 9, 2021 (Sacramento) - California voters are being asked whether to recall a Governor for only the second time in the state’s history. Here’s what you need to know about the process.

August 9, 2021 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:

LOCAL

• San Diego parent group sues state to end school mask mandate (San Diego Unon-Tribune)
• San Diego County substitute teacher, Boy Scout leader arrested on child pornography charges (10 News)
• Navy Charges Sailor With Starting USS Bonhomme Richard Fire (Patch.com)
• San Diego County to employees: Get the COVID-19 vaccine or get tested regularly (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• After Caltrans takes down 100 American flags, Lakeside residents put them back up (10 News)

STATE

• California says federal ‘let it burn’ policy is reckless as wildfires rage out of control (Los Angeles Times)
• Thousands of California residents are ordered to evacuate as the Dixie Fire nears 500,000 acres (CNN)
• Map: Dixie Fire perimeter and evacuation (San Jose Mercury News)
• California's PG&E to bury 10,000 miles of power lines to prevent wildfires (Reuters)
• California orders vaccine or testing for health care workers, state employees (Cal Matters)
• Newsom’s biggest recall danger: Complacent Democrats who don’t turn out to vote (Los Angeles Times)
• Half of California community college students lack money for food. New funding aims to help  (Sacramento Bee)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

August 10, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Pentagon to require all troops to get coronavirus vaccine by mid-September (The Hill)
• Biden backs effort to include immigration in budget package (The Hill)
• United Requires Employees Be Vaccinated, As 1st Major U.S. Airline To Do So : Coronavirus Updates   (NPR)
• Biden administration considers withholding funds and other measures to spur vaccinations (Washington Post)
• 2 travelers to Canada who gave false COVID-19 vaccination information each fined almost $20K (USA Today)
• Simone Biles sparks nationwide conversation on mental health (The Hill)
• Senate negotiators reach deal on $2 billion Capitol security funding bill in wake of January 6 insurrection (CNN)
• The Postal Service Presses Forward With Unpopular Plan To Slow Some Mail Delivery (NPR)

WORLD

• Afghanistan: Fighting rages as Taliban besiege three key cities (BBC)
• As Fears Grip Afghanistan, Hundreds of Thousands Flee (New York Times)
• Panic-Buying And Transport Lockdowns. In Wuhan, It Feels Like Early Pandemic Again: Coronavirus Updates  (NPR)
• Brazil's scandal-plagued President may face a reckoning as lawmakers consider impeachment (CNN)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Mike Allen

August 9, 2021 (Santee) -- Starting this week, customers of the Padre Dam Municipal Water District who pay their bills late will incur late fees and if nonpayment goes for more than 60 days, customers could have their water shut off.

By Daniel Smiechowski

August 8, 2021 (San Diego) -- There is a ray of sunshine in San Diego County offering love and compassion to the families of babies born prematurely and with underlying medical issues. From much needed transportation to emotional support in terms of care packages, craft activities and free lunches, Miracle Babies is a valuable resource in our region.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: National Weather Service

August 9, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service is warning of elevated fire conditions, with mountain thunderstorms Monday followed by more thunderstorms Tuesday to Saturday in the deserts and mountains.

By Kathy Carpenter

August 7, 2021 (La Mesa) - Can A broken romance be romantic? Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa is back. They are presenting Jason Robert Brown's "The Last Five Years" directed by Teri Brown and Johnathan Sturch with Musical Director Christopher T. Miller. The play opened July 23 and runs through August 15.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Photos by Farima Tabbrizi of FT Images.

August 7, 2021 (Lakeside) -- CEO Brad Weber, the force behind Local Umbrella Media Group, held a fashion show fundraiser for the non-profit---The B.A.G. Networking "Business Associates Group" at Lakeside’s Trevi Hills Winery on August 4^th.

The fashion show was presented by a local designer, Dawn Sebaugh of WALA – Wear Art Live Art. Food was available from Nori’s Nosh Catering with charcuterie cones just one of their offerings.

“Over 200 guests enjoyed delicious bites paired with Trevi Hill’s fabulous assortments of wines as they were enveloped in the breathtaking 360-degree views. Invitees danced into the sunset at this picturesque hidden gem while helping us support charity guest The B.A.G. Networking 501c3,” said Weber via email.  “The B.A.G. Networking "Business Associates Group"‪ is made up of volunteers that generously give their time and efforts to help make a difference in the community – with 100% of B.A.G. proceeds going to worthy local causes.”

By Miriam Raftery

August 7, 2021 (San Diego) – The San Diego Sheriff’s Department has released a video on dangerous of Fentanyl-laced drugs after a deputy was exposed and nearly died of an overdose.  On July 3, 2021, Deputy David Faiivae from the San Marcos Sheriff's Station put on his uniform and badge for his patrol shift.  He had no idea he was about to go through one of the worst days of his life after being exposed to Fentanyl.

“Please take the time to share this video," said Sheriff Gore.  "It might save the life of your son, daughter, friend or loved one." Many overdose victims didn’t even know they had ingested Fentanyl, which is increasingly turning up laced in other drugs across the nation including methamphetamines, heroin, black-market pain killers such as oxycodone and even marijuana sold through illegal channels. A fatal dose is as small as a grain of sand and stronger versions such as carfentanyl are too small to be seen.

“If it wasn't for the quick-thinking of his Field Training Officer, Corporal Scott Crane, in administering Naloxone, Deputy Faiivae would not be alive today,” a press release from the Sheriff’s Department states.

East County News Service

August 6, 2021 (La Mesa) – Shortly after 10 p.m. last night, the La Mesa Police Department received a report of a robbery that had just occurred at the Excalibur Liquor Store at 5575 Baltimore Drive. The clerk reported that the suspect entered the store, walked around the counter, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the clerk. The suspect then fired one round into the wall and pushed the clerk to the ground. 

The clerk was not injured during the incident. The lone suspect stole money from the register and personal property from the clerk, according to police. The suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction.