By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications

January 9, 2017 (Jamul) -- Nearly four dozen dogs were taken from a home in east Jamul in the last week after County Animal Services investigated complaints about an excessive number of dogs on the property.

East County News Service

January 8, 2017 (Jamul) — A $1,000 reward is offered for help to solve the case of an unidentified woman found dead yesterday in the 15800 block of Skyline Truck Trail in Jamul.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and Rancho San Diego station are investigating the death as a possible homicide due to apparent trauma to the victim’s upper body.  She is estimated to be in her 40s or 50s.

East County News Service

October 19, 2016 (Jamul) – The Jamul Action Committee, which opposes the new Hollywood Casino in Jamul, has announced a community meeting on Thursday, October 27 at 7 p.m.in the Jamul Primary multi-use room at 14567 Lyons Valley Road.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos courtesy of  E.  Rullet and Deerhorn Valley Antler

October 13, 2016 (Jamul)—Monday’s grand opening of the Hollywood Casino in Jamul caused traffic backups of several hours.  On Tuesday,  residents report delays were reduced to 15-30 minutes for those seeking to run errands in the rural town of Jamul,  still a hassle for residents who long opposed the casino. Illegal parking along State Route 94 and side roads continue to pose problems, though authorities have begun ticketing vehicles.

Parents have voiced concerns over safety of students at Steele Canyon High School’s homecoming football game and dance this weekend, the first weekend the casino will be in operation.  The traffic and parking issues could also negatively  impact JamulFest Sunday, where Lyons Valley Road closes for a parade and parking is tight even in prior years.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Byron Croft: top, Richard St. Jean and Penn National team; right, Final Cut steakhouse view.

October 9,2016 (Jamul) – “I’m like a proud parent,” Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego vice president and general manager Richard St. Jean said,  during a preview tour of the 200,000 square foot facility on Saturday.  This has been a long time coming.”

The casino will opening to the public on Monday at 2 p.m., after an 11 a.m.ribbon-cutting for Penn National Gaming executive team members and tribal members of the Jamul Indian Village of the Kumeyaay Nation.

September 2, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- Our latest newsletter just came out --with all the hottest news and events impacting you in East County all in one single-page newsletter.  You can view the latest edition here.   

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By Miriam Raftery

August 11, 2016 (Jamul) — On August 5^th, a head-on crash between a big-rig and three other vehicles at the steel bridge on State Route 94 near Jamacha shut down the highway for several hours.  A truck lost a rear axle. One car flipped, another partially over the side,” says Kim Hamilton, Deerhorn Valley Antler editor, who cancelled family dinner plans due to the delay. ”Cars were going the wrong way, no law enforcement,” she told ECM.

East County News Service

East County News Service

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

April 2, 2016 (Fallbrook) – Jamul resident Dennis Hogge, 62, crash landed the Lancair IV plane he was piloting onto I-15 in the Pala Mesa area of Fallbrook this morning. Hogge has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries including head trauma, 10 News reports.

By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2016 (Jamul)—60 guests hoisted glasses last month to toast the grand opening of East County’s newest wine tasting room: Casi Cielo Winery, located at their historical adobe ranch house at Maness Vineyards atop a sunny hilltop in Jamul just off highway 94.  It’s a dream that has been a long-time coming to fruition –a dream that began with two Italian immigrants back in the last century. As the afternoon sun bathes the adobe bricks and vineyards beyond in golden rays, it's not hard to see how Casi Cielo (Almost Heaven) got its name.

The winery offers a selection of  hand-crafted wines made with 25% grapes grown at the estate and 75% grapes grown in San Diego County.  With a motto “from juice to jelly,” Casi Cielo Farm & Vineyard also has a charming gift shop licensed under GregoArt.com featuring  a new line of delicious vineyard jellies (served up over chocolate cheesecake—pure bliss) as well as colorful hand-crafted quilts by Kathy, vineyard lifestyle attire and more.

Photo, left, by Jodie LaRosh, reposted with permission from the JAC

January 7, 2016 (Jamul) –Jodie LaRosh came upon this surreal scene this morning at 7 a.m. at State Route 94.  At a dip in the road near Jamul Estates, rainfall had created a river flooding the road. 

At 8:02 a.m., CHP asked for Caltrans to shut down the roadway. A t 8:27 CHP observed that “water is getting pretty deep” and again asked for a shutdown at Honey Springs and 94.  But at 8:41 a.m., inexplicably, CHP posted,  “SR 94 will remain open –there is a foot of water crossing from the creek.” Signs were posted to alert motorists.

East County News Service

December 28, 2015 (Jamul) – Jae Han Chung, 25, of Chula Vista, died at the scene of a motorcycle crash December 26^th at 12:53 p.m. in Jamul.

Kylie Rowand Foundation founded by Alpine parents aims to help fight childhood cancer

By Janis Russell

September 11, 2015 (Jamul)—Luke and Bree Rowand lost their young daughter, Kylie, to neuroblastoma last February.  Now they have started the Kylie Rowand Foundation in hopes of sparing other families from having to endure with such a devastating loss.

East County News Service

File photo: Jamul Indian Village

September 1, 2015 (Jamul) – A 56-year-old construction worker fell to his death at the site of the Hollywood Casino Jamul this morning, Cal Fire and the Sheriff’s office confirm.

The accident occurred about 8:20 a.m. at the construction site located on Jamul Indian Village property.  The worker fell off a 38-foot-platform atop a man lift, said Sergeant Matthew Cook III from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s station.

Hear our exclusive interviews with Jamul Indian Village Tribal Chair Erica Pinto and Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego’s General Manager Richard St. Jean, originally aired on KNSJ Radio: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

By Leon Thompson

Photo, left: Chairwoman Erica Pinto

August 17, 2015 (Jamul Indian Village) – As the long-planned Hollywood Casino Jamul-San Diego  nears completion following a recent topping-off ceremony, the Jamul Indian Village has elected a new Chairwoman, Erica Pinto and brought in Richard St. Jean as General Manager for the casino.  

Chairwoman Pinto is the first woman elected Chair of the tribe and was the youngest person ever elected to the tribal council in 1996, at the age of 21.  Her family traces its roots back as far as Jamul’s history itself—and now she has big dreams for her people and the community.

East County Magazine spoke with Chairwoman Pinto, along with the new General Manager of the casino, Richard St. Jean on plans for the new casino, in exclusive interviews on KNSJ radio.  See highlights below, and hear the full radio interviews  by listening here.