By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

November 5, 2018 (San Diego) -- Though fire season is pretty much year round we can take preventive measures to prevent the start and spread of them. We educate and encourage those living in wildland fire-prone communities, to follow the “Ready, Set, Go” model to properly prepare for wildfires https://www.fire.lacounty.gov/rsg/

Updated with comments from Councilmembers Baber and McWhirter, plus additional information on the Public Safety Advocates PAC.

By Miriam Raftery

November 4, 2018 (La Mesa) – A flurry of deceptive mailers have been sent to Democrats in La Mesa, where two Democratic candidates, Dr. Akilah Weber and retired Sheriff commander Dave Myers are challenging Republican incumbents Bill Baber and Guy McWhirter.  

One mailer paid for by the Baber-McWhirter campaign urged Democrats to vote – on the wrong date. (The election is Tuesday, November 6th.) The flyer had photos endorsing Republicans McWhirter and Baber as well as Mayor Mark Arapostathis, who is running unopposed. Baber says this was his mistake. "It was a typo. I wish I had Miriam as my editor!" he quipped. His campaign later sent a corrected copy, which he forwarded to ECM.

Two other mailers were sent by the “Public Safety Advocates” PAC in Encinitas and include negative information on the two Democrats, including false statements about Weber

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 4, 2018 (Albuquerque) - Juwan Washington had 95 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 11 carries to help San Diego State beat New Mexico 31-23 on Saturday night.

East County News Service

November 3, 2018 (Poway) -- The Kingston Trio helped launch the folk revival of the late 1950s through the 1960s. Today the legacy continues, guided by the devotion and personal history of a trio closely affiliated with the original group.

East County News Service

November 3, 2018 (Del Cerro) - A 20-year-old woman was attacked and stabbed Thursday shortly after midnight by a man who opened the door of her car in a Del Cerro parking lot in the 6300 block of Del Cerro Boulevard.

East County News Service

November 3, 2018 (Ramona) – Erinn Clarke Edens, 48, of Ramona has been identified by the County Medical Examiner as the motorcyclist killed on October 20^th in a solo vehicle accident.

He lost control of the motorcycle in the 15000 block of Wildcat Canyon Road in Ramona and was ejected into the path of an oncoming vehicle, which ran over him and dragged him a short distance until the vehicle was able to stop.

East County News Service

November 3, 2018 (El Cajon) – A 55-year-old rider on a Harley Davidson was traveling with a group of motorcyclists this morning in the 900 block of East Main Street in El Cajon when according to witnesses, he began passing vehicles in the inside left turn lane.  When the lane ended, the rider struck a raised center median and was ejected on the roadway, suffering severe head injuries.

By Mike Allen

November 2, 2018 (Santee) -- Running in his fourth city election, Santee Councilman Rob McNelis has been around the block a few times asking for funds to pay for such things as campaign signs and mailers so it’s no surprise that he easily leads the pack of seven candidates for the City Council with about $23,000 collected as of late October.

East County News Service

November 1, 2018 (Santee) – This is the first election in which Santee residents cast votes by district. In District 1, Councilman Rob NcNelis, a market leader with a mortgage banking company and former Chamber of Commerce president, is running against Evlyn Andrade-Heymsfield, a software engineer and business owner who worked at U.C. Berkeley’s school of public health as a program manager and chair of the staff advisory council.

Key issues are development vs. quality of life, as well as how to address the city’s budget deficit. Andrade-Heymsfield claims her opponent puts developers’ interests over those of residents; she pledges to oppose Fanita Ranch. McNelis says he’s voted against some developer donors’ projects and votes for what's best for Santee. He pledges to keep government small and out of people’s pockets; Andrade-Heymsfield says she has ideas for new revenue sources to address the city’s deficit without raising taxes. 

We interviewed both candidates on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio. Hear the full interviews by clicking the audio links (Evlyn Andrade Heymsfield audio and Rob McNelis audio) plus read highlights below.

By Miriam Raftery

November 2, 2018 (Boulevard) – David Smith, 52, has been arrested for the murder of his brother, Danny Smith, 63.  Rural Sheriff’s deputies responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls yesterday at 4:17 p.m. reporting  a shooting at the large rural property at 38326 Highway 94 in Boulevard, where the brothers lived in separate residences.

Deputies found the victim inside the home, dead, with a traumatic gunshot wound, says Lt. Rich Williams with the Sheriff’s homicide unit.

By Santee City Councilman Stephen Houlahan and Preserve Wild Santee Director Van Collinsworth

November 1, 2018 (Santee) - A flood of developer dollars are backing incumbents/status-quo candidates (McNelis, Hall & Koval) in this city council election. The dark money backing for these candidates show that this election is about resident versus developer control of city government and the ability to approve the massive Fanita Ranch project.

East County News Service

October 31, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Cowboys and Aliens at the Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon, Kids Care Fest in Lemon Grove, the Ramona Art and Wine Fest, and the season opening of the outdoor ice skating rink at Viejas in Alpine.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including an East County Youth Symphony Concert, El Cajon’s Veterans Day ceremony, Santee’s holiday lighting ceremony, the Mother Goose Parade and Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon, It’s a Wonderful Life radio play in Santee, Tony Orlando at Sycuan, La Mesa’s Holidays in the Village, and Leann Rimes in concert at Viejas.

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

Source: Alpine Fire Department 

Photo:  Division Chief Brian Boggeln and Captain Greg O’Gorman take the oath and are sworn in to their positions.

November 1, 2018 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Fire Protection District (AFPD) recently announced the promotions of Brian Boggeln and Greg O’Gorman.  The promotions were effective on October 1st.  Both firefighters participated in a badge pinning ceremony where they were ‘pinned’ by their wives and recognized for their accomplishments by the AFPD Board of Directors at the October 16^th Board meeting.  

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Lakeside Planning Group members unanimously cast votes to reject EIR on sand mine

November 1, 2018 (Lakeside) --The Lakeside Community Planning Group has voted unanimously to oppose the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a massive sand mining project proposed by El Monte Nature Preserve LLC, the deceptively named company that wants to mine sand on the 479 acre site for the next 12 years in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley. The decision drew applause, cheers and hugs from the large crowd present.  View video of the LPCG meeting by Billy Ortiz.

Meanwhile, opposition to the project is growing – and serious questions over the property owner’s ethics are being raised.