East County News Service

April 23, 2017 (Lakeside) – Bees are amazing and essential--and they’re vanishing.  On May 13 at 11 a.m., third generation beekeeper Richard Edwords will be speaking at the Lakeside River Park Conservancy, 12108 Industry Road in Lakeside.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Rebecca Jefferis-Williamson

April 22, 2017 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of Farmer's Table,  La Mesa's hot new dining spot. 

The restuarant specializes in farm-to-fork fresh cuisine, serving up hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners daily.  From a farmer's salad to wood-fired pizzas to a black and white tagliolini brimming with shellfish,  you'll find plenty to satisfy your appetite here.

East County News Service

April 22, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – A warrant sweep conducted this morning in Lemon Grove, La Mesa and Rancho San Diego this morning has resulted in 29 adults arrested, clearing 35 warrants. The sweeps were conducted between 6 a.m. and 12 noon by the San Diego Sheriff Department’s Court Services Bureau Field Unit.

By Miriam Raftery

April 22, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) – During the Spring Garden Festival at Cuyamaca College, Heritage of the Americas Museum is offering entertaining and education presentations including tops on NASA, the National Parks, and Native American fire building:

Journey through the Cosmos with the Art of NASA - 11 a.m.

Adventure & Discoveries in Your Nearby National Parks - 1 p.m.

Kumeyaay Fire-Making & Artifacts - 2 p.m.

Scroll down for details.

Source: CAL FIRE

April 21, 2017 (San Diego) -- Being ready for wildfires has never been easier than with CAL FIRE’s new Ready for Wildfire app. This new tool puts a whole library of step-by-step checklists in the palm of the user’s hand.

By Nick Pellegrino for East County Magazine

Photo:  Dejanae Harvey

April 21, 2017 (Santee) -- When it comes to football and family fun, why root for a team which hasn't reached a championship game in nearly a quarter century, when there's a championship right here in our own backyard here in East County?

Photo:  top left to right:  Ammar Campa-Najjar, Patrick Malloy, Hannah Gbeh, Josh Butner, Gloria Chadwick, Glenn Jensen, Pierre “Pete” Beauregard

By Miriam Raftery

View our videos and post your comments!  Which candidate(s) are strongest and why?  Which might you be most apt to consider voting for, and why?

Part 1: https://youtu.be/pOOQxhTDj5Q

Part 2:  https://youtu.be/kk4H7dNWTPQ

April 21, 2017 (San Diego’s East County)—Seven Democratic candidates running  for the seat currently held by Republican Duncan Hunter participated in a lively forum last night hosted by the East County Democratic Club.   After opening statements, by each candidate they fielded questions on women’s rights,  healthcare, public education, protecting minorities, digital privacy, as well as their backgrounds, financing and organizing strengths. Many other issues were also addressed by this diverse and articulate array of candidates seeking to represent the 50th Congressional district.

The field includes a former Navy Seal, a farmer, a nurse, an ex-Navy medic, rural planning board members,   a Hispanic and Arab-American activist in the Obama administration, a realtor, a computer data expert, an environmnetalist, and more -- with several candidates having background in multiple fields.

Watch for our detailed analysis of the forum coming later. 

Source: SanDiego350

April 21, 2017 (San Diego) - On Saturday April 29th over three thousand San Diegans are expected to join the People’s Climate March (PCM) at the downtown Waterfront Park under the slogan “Healthy People, Healthy Communities, Healthy Earth”. They will call on local leaders to support a just and rapid transition to 100% clean energy and to oppose federal efforts to roll back climate policies that protect our families. The local march, organized by a coalition of environmental, social justice, labor, student, and faith organizations, takes place in solidarity with the People’s Climate Mobilization on the same day in Washington DC and hundreds of other sister marches around the country and the world. A bicycle valet will be set up to encourage participants to arrive by bike. The event will conclude with entertainment, information booths, a sign contest, and a kid zone with activities. 

East County News Service

April 20, 2017 (Descanso) – Do you have a plan for reducing your wildfire risks and protecting your family and pets? The Descanso Emergency Planning/FireSafe Group is holding a workshop on Saturday May 6 from 1-3 p.m. at the Descanso Library (9545 River Drive in Descanso) to help families prepare for wildfires.

East County News Service

April 20, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response, CERT members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learn during training.  These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until professional help arrives.

East County News Service

April 19, 2017 (El Cajon) - America on Main Street, a family fun celebration honoring the American spirit, will be held in downtown El Cajon on May  20th from 12 noon. to 8 p.m. The event includes four stages with live entertainment, a Ferris Wheel, petting zoo, hay ride, pony rides, kids’ games and crafts.

East County News Service

April 19, 2017 (Ramona) -- State Route 78 will be closed in both directions over the next four weekends while Caltrans crews conduct emergency repairs to stabilize the roadway and construct a retaining wall. The repairs are needed after large boulders damaged the roadway. 

East County News Service

April 19, 2017 (Spring Valley) – An armed robber fired shots during a robber of a 7-Eleven store in Spring Valley early this morning, also pistol-whipping an employee before fleeing with stolen cash, NBC 7 reports.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  The trail out to and back from Three Sisters Falls is steep and often slippery.

April 19, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - San Diego County’s bountiful rainy season led to a wildflower super bloom in the deserts and cascading waterfalls in our mountains, each drawing a flood of visitors. Some of these hikers have been unprepared for the strenuous activity and became sick or injured. That’s resulted in a slight uptick in rescues or medical assistance, CAL FIRE and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department report.

East County News Service

April 19, 2017 (San Diego) -- The Center for Biological Diversity and Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva, who serves as ranking member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, sued the Trump administration this week over the proposed border wall and other border security measures, calling on federal agencies to conduct an in-depth investigation of the proposal’s environmental impacts.