July 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal-Fire has stopped the forward spread of a two-acre brush fire that started in the 14000 block of Otay Lakes Road near the Thousand Trails Campground at Pio Pico.

No structures were threatened by the blaze, which IPN reported at 2:18 p.m.  Cal-Fire halted the forward spread of the slow-burning fire at 2:57 p.m.

Mia Myklebust

March 11, 2012 (Jamul) – The water saving garden at Jamul Primary School sports a new information board thanks to a generous grant from the Metropolitan Water District. The sign is part of an ambitious outdoor learning project, which demonstrates and promotes sustainable gardening practices in arid East San Diego County. The garden is a project of ARCHES, a local non-profit corporation.

By Miriam Raftery

February 4, 2012 (Jamul)—Revelations that public funds have been awarded to a private hunting club to develop hunting dog training ponds in the state-owned Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area has heightened controversy over the project. 

Is duck-hunting training for dogs a wise use of public land and water, or just plain daffy?

By Miriam Raftery

January 23, 2012 (Jamul) – Last week, ECM reported on controversy surrounding sporting groups’ plans to create the Honey Springs Sporting Dog Training Facility  in the Hollenbeck Canyon Wildlife Area, a state-owned preserve.  Neighbors were shocked to learn that dog training ponds would be filled with 2.4 million gallons of groundwater a year.  So was the local planning group and the area’s rural fire department, which relies on the same water supply to fight fires.

Now state and county officials have both confirmed that groundwater will be the key factor in determining whether or not the project moves forward.

By Miriam Raftery

December 30, 2011 (Jamul) -- Yesterday's fire at Skyline Truck Trail and Lawson Valley Road has left a family's lives in ashes.

December 27, 2011 (Deerhorn Valley) –A paraplegic is trapped in a minivan that has rolled onto its side at 21325 Deerhorn Valley Road in the Jamul area, Incident Page Network reports.  Multiple victims are reportedly involved.

December 3, 2011 (Jamul) – At Jamul Haven, a five-star Victorian bed and breakfast inn in Jamul, a cherished holiday tradition is the annual “Children’s Candy Train Party.” Held on December 17, this free and festive occasion includes making candy trains and gingerbread houses.

December 4, 2011 (Jamul)—Shawn Andrew Corrigan, 34, ignored orders to stop at a Border Patrol checkpoint in Campo on November 28. He fled the scene at a high rate of speed, traveling westbound on Highway 94, and lost control of the vehicle in Jamul. He collided with two vehicles traveling eastbound.

November 2, 2011 (Jamul) Drama students from Santee High School will perform a free reading of “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday, November 5 at Jamul Haven Bed and Breakfast Inn. The performance is part of students’ preparatory work for their November production of this classic holiday story.

Arrive at 4:30 p.m. for a light dinner, with readings beginning at 5:15 p.m. Talk back and dessert follows.

August 9, 2011 (Jamul) – What could be cuter than a bouncing baby bobcat? How about an entire bobcat family?

July 22, 2011 (Jamul) – The Deerhorn Valley Antler reports heavy Sheriff and Police presence throughout the Jamul area today due to a motorcycle gang rivalry.

“There are units from San Diego, La Mesa, El Cajon, Vista, Oceanside,” the Antler reported, adding that undercover units are also in the area.

May 7, 2011 (Jamul) – A landscaper on his way home from work was struck by a passing MTS trolley in National City on May 4 at 2:07 p.m. He was transported to a hospital, where despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead soon after arrival. The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified the victim as Stephen Palmer, 64, a married resident of Jamul.

By Miriam Raftery

April 13, 2011 – It’s official—the rainbow ends in Jamul!

 A spectacular rainbow arched over a field behind Donna Hendrix’s Jamul home after last week’s rainstorm week—putting in a special appearance at a party celebrating Steve Rowe’s promotion from executive director of the East County YMCA to a leadership role in the San Diego YMCA.