Ramona

WELCOME, MOUNTAIN DWELLERS!

Our Mountain Living section covers the mountain communities in San Diego's East County north of I-8 including Aguanga, Cuyamaca, Descanso, Guatay, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pine Valley, Ranchita, Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Shelter Valley and Warner Springs.


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COYOTE WITH HEAD STUCK IN BUCKET IS RESCUED FROM FLOODED FIELD

East County News Service

January 24, 2024 (San Diego) -- A not-so-wily coyote is recovering at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center after being rescued from a flooded field full of debris with a bucket stuck on his head.


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HAWK WATCH IN RAMONA TAKES WING SATURDAYS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

East County News Service

January 8, 2024 (Ramona) – The Wildlife Research Institute in Ramona invites you to Hawk Watch, each Saturday in January and February at 10 a.m. at Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Rd, in Ramona.  Arrive at 9:30 for coffee and donuts, then enjoy the free program that includes biologist’s talks, Q&A with falconry or ambassador raptors up close, followed by optional roadside observations of wild raptors and other wildlife including a Bald Eagle nest where you'll drive your own car less than 2 miles on paved roads and come and go at your leisure. Biologists and local expert volunteer observers will help you spot and identify birds and show them to you through our high-powered professional telescopes.


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OPEN FARM TOURS JANUARY 13 AND 27 AT OASIS CAMEL DAIRY

East County News Service

January 8, 2024 (Ramona) -- Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona invites you to open farm tours on Saturday, January 13 and January 27 from 12 to 2 p.m.  Enjoy a bird show and camel show, meet and feed camels and lambradoodles, take a camel ride, and enjoy camel milk products such as artisan soaps, lotions, chocolate and camel milk.

Tickets must be purchased online.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: RESCUED PUPPIES IN RAMONA

East County News Service

Photos courtesy of CalFire San Diego

December 20, 2023 (Ramona)—The crew from Cal Fire’s Station 80 rescued nearly 20 animals from a barn fire in Ramona earlier this week, including these adorable puppies.

Unfortunately, one animal perished in the fire on Ramona Real.


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JAYWALKING PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY CAR AND KILLED IN RAMONA

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC via Bing

 

December 11, 2023 (Ramona) – A Ramona man, 59, suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a 2023 Nissan Altima yesterday morning around 6:15 a.m.  According to the California Highway Patrol, the man was crossing State Route 67, also known as Main Street near the intersection of 14th street in Ramona against the “don’t walk” illuminated sign.


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RAMONA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANTS $40K TO LOCAL NONPROFITS TO BUILD COMMUNITY & POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY

East County News Service

December 8, 2023 (Ramona) - Ramona Community Foundation (RCF), a regional affiliate of San Diego Foundation, has awarded $40,000 to seven local nonprofit programs that demonstrate the power to build a more vibrant community and recover from the pandemic.


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RAMONA MOM DIES IN CRASH CAUSED BY SUSPECTED DUI DRIVER

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2023 (Ramona) – Andrea Ortiz,44, a single mom with three daughters, was on her way to work Nov. 28  around 7:30 a.m. when a pickup truck crossed the center line on State Route 78 in Ramona. It head-on into Ortiz’s vehicle, which rolled down an embankment. She died at the scene.


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DUI DRIVER ARRESTED FOR FATAL CRASH IN RAMONA

By Miriam Raftery

November 27, 2023 (Ramona) – A 26-year-old man has been arrested for causing a head-on crash on November 25 in Ramona that killed a Ramona woman, 44, then fleeing the scene.


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ARREST MADE IN RAMONA SHOOTING DEATH

East County News Service

November 5, 2023 (Ramona) – Sean Hawksworth of Ramona, 24, has been arrested for the murder of Eduardo Aguilar Alba, 26. Alba was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head on October 20, inside his Ramona home in the 400 block of 16th Street.

Deputies responded to a call reporting the death. The Medical Examiner concluded the  manner of death was homicide.

After homicide detectives determined that Hawksworth was the suspect, the Sheriff’s department obtained a search warrant of his home. On November 3 at 2:30 a.m.,  Hawksworth was arrested.  He has been charged with murder and has been booked into San Diego Central Jail, says Lieutenant Joseph Janjura.


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RAMONA WOMAN ARRESTED FOR SETTING HOUSE ON FIRE

East County News Service

October 9, 2023 (Ramona) -- A woman has been arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting a house fire in Ramona early this morning.

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department received a call around 6 a.m. from one of two residents at a home in the 200 block of Haley Street,  stating that their house was on fire.   


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MISSING WOMAN FOUND BY MOTORIST IN RAMONA

East County News Service

September 24, 2023 (Ramona) – After Zita Swanson, 66, went  missing from her home on G Street in Ramona on Sept.21, the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue activated 32 volunteers who helped search for her. She was found by a driver heading to work, who noticed her in bushes along Mussey Grade Road around 5:30 the next morning.

She was considered at risk due to a medical condition. Fortunately, after being evaluated by paramedics, she has been reunited with her family.


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SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR MISSING RAMONA WOMAN, 66

Update: Zita Swanson has been found safe and reunited with her family.

September 21, 2023 (Ramona) -- The Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) Unit has been activated to help locate a missing woman in Ramona.

Zita Swanson, 66, left her home early this morning in the 700 block of G St. in Ramona and did not return home, says Lt. John Malan.

She does not have a vehicle, and is not believed to be carrying a cell phone or purse. Shie is Hispanic, 5'5" tall, 174 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a purple or blue striped blouse, blue jeans and black shoes.


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MOTORIST NOT WEARING SEATBELT DIES IN HEAD-ON RAMONA CRASH

By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2023 (Ramona) – A head-on crash in Ramona early yesterday morning proved deadly for one driver, but the other survived with non-threatening injuries. Both young drivers were residents of Ramona. The difference? The motorist who survived was wearing a seatbelt, while the other was not.


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FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS FROM LA MESA TO RAMONA

August 20, 2023 (San Diego's East County) --The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning now through 5 p.m. for El Cajon, La Mesa, Poway, Ramona, Alpine, Tierrasanta, Escondido, Santee, Lakeside and San Diego Country Estates. This is due to heavy rainfall capable of producing life-threatening flash floods.


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RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR RUNS JULY 28-30

East County News Service

July 18, 2023 (Ramona) – Three days of family fun are coming up at the Ramona Country Fair. Presented by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce, the fair features amusement rides, carnival games, live music, a cornhole competition, an off-road show, food & beverage vendors, craft & commercial vendors, western shows and more.


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BMX CHAMPION KILLED IN JUMP AT X-GAMES TRACK IN RAMONA

By Miriam Raftery

June 7, 2023 (Ramona) -- The rider who died yesterday afternoon in a crash while performing jumps at the Slayground Motocross Park in Ramona as been identified as Patrick Michael Casey of Riverside, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office. 

A  BMX champion who turned pro at age16,  Casey is remembered as "an incredible BMX rider, multiple X games, Simple Session medalist, and an all-around fantastic human," Simple Session posted on Facebook. "We are heartbroken about the news and sending lots of love and prayers to his wife, Chase, his son Reid, and his daughter Taytum. This crushing news will send shockwaves through the BMX and action sports world today."


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BEAR CUBS RELEASED INTO WILD

East County News Service

June 5, 2023 (Ramona) -- The San Diego Humane Society recently posted on Facebook, “We bear-ly can contain our excitement, as two bear cubs have an incredible second chance at life in the wild after spending five months at our Ramona Wildlife Center for care and rehabilitation!”


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QUARANTINES IMPOSED AS VSV LIVESTOCK DISEASE SPREADS ACROSS REGION

Disease can affect all hooved livestock and can also spread to humans

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2023 (San Diego) – Fifteen properties in San Diego County are under quarantine by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, after six cases of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) have been confirmed in San Diego County and testing is underway on another nine suspected local cases, according to the USDA website on the disease. There are also two confirmed cases and two suspected cases in Riverside County, where four properties are quarantined.  These are the only areas in the U.S. with current cases of VSV.

 The first local case in this outbreak occurred May 17 in Ramona, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. While all of the local cases so far are in horses, the disease can also afflict donkeys, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas or other hooved livestock.

The quarantines will  last at least 14 days after the last known case.  However blisters on mouths and hooves can take up to two months to resolve.The quarantines mean no transporting animals to or from the impacted properties will be allowed until a veterinarian has cleared animals for travel.  Some states and livestock events such as horse shows may prohibit animals from the impacted areas from participating even if there is no known exposure, so check with show organizers before traveling to any livestock even


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THIRD RAMONA AMBULANCE AND CREW ARE BUSY HELPING RESIDENTS

By Chuck Westerheide, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Medic 282 Paramedic Ambulance and Crew

April 21, 2023 (La Mesa) -- A new ambulance with its crew and services added by the San Diego County Fire Protection District and CAL FIRE is seeing a great deal of use. County Fire accepted the transfer of responsibility for fire protection and emergency medical services in Ramona last August. The change brought a third fire department paramedic ambulance and additional firefighter staffing enhancements to the Ramona service area. 

The new paramedic ambulance has been dispatched 315 times and has taken 148 patients to area hospitals. Assigned to Fire Station 82, on Dye Road, the paramedic ambulance has full-time staffing with two firefighter paramedics 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Due to residential and business development along with population growth, there have been steady increases in 911 emergencies.  


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SOUTH AFRICAN MUSICIAN, HUMANITARIAN SHARON KATZ IN CONCERT AT RAMONA RANCH WINERY APRIL 16

By Mimi Pollack

April 11, 2023 (Ramona) -- South African musician and humanitarian Sharon Katz, will be giving a complimentary concert at the Ramona Ranch Winery on Sunday, April 16th from 2:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon. What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon with a wonderful musician in a lovely setting?

Music can soothe and heal the soul, no matter where you are from. The Ramona Ranch Winery, which is also a working farm with animals, will provide a peaceful outdoor setting where one can enjoy their award-winning wines by the bottle or the glass as they listen to songs in Spanish and various African languages sung by Katz, a musician who also has quite a story to tell.


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MOTORIST DIES AFTER COLLISION WITH SCHOOL BUS IN RAMONA

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2023 (Ramona) – A 56-year-old man from Ramona has died of injuries sustained in a collision with a school bus from Ramona Unified School District on March 24.

The victim was driving a 2003 Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck southbound on Mussey Grade Road just south of Foster Truck Trail in Ramona around 4:10 p.m. when he lost control of his vehicle in a curve and crossed onto the northbound side of the road, “directly into the path of the oncoming school bus, resulting in a head-on crash,” according to Officer Jared Grieshaber with the California Highway Patrol.


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LOCAL BEERS WIN BIG AT 2023 BREWERS CUP OF CALIFORNIA

East County News Service

 

March 25, 2023 (San Diego) -- This year’s Brewers Cup of California included 1,306 entries from 191 breweries. There were 83 categories and a total of 37 medals were awarded to breweries within San Diego County, including 13 gold, 8 silver and 16 bronze. The overall total is nearly double the 19 medals collected by local breweries at the 2021 competition. 

 

East County’s winning brewers include Burning Beard Brewing of El Cajon, Julian Beer Co. and Smoking Cannon Brewery of Ramona. Julian took silver, while Burning Beard and Silver Canyon won both silver and bronze medals. Gold medalists included Mike Hess Brewing of North Park, though Mike Hess also has a brewery in Alpine. 

 

See below for a full list of San Diego County winners: 


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RAMONA CAR SHOW REVS UP ON APRIL 22

East County News Service

March 19, 2023 (Ramona) – The Ramona Senior Center will host a car show on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace Community Church, 1234 Barger Place in Ramona (corner of San Vicente Road and Barger Place).


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BLOOMING AFTER 20 YEARS, RAMONA GARDEN CLUB CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY APRIL 5

By Ada Wildberger, Ramona Garden Club
 
March 12, 2023 (Ramona) -- The Ramona Garden Club is celebrating its 20th Anniversary.  The club was founded in 2003 by a group of ambitious gardeners who wanted to bring the Ramona community together by teaching folks the many benefits and value horticultural brings to each of us.
 
The Ramona Garden Club will recognize the many volunteer hours members have given to improve such gardens as the Chandler Herb Garden at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the lovely Collier Park Children’s Garden, as well as the many grants and educational scholarships to those entering the fields of horticulture.  The public is welcome to come celebrate, enjoy refreshments and tour the Collier Park Garden on April 5 from 1 to 3 p.m.

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RENOWNED ARCHITECT CHARLES DURRETT TO PRESENT ON POWER OF SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY IN RAMONA ON MARCH 16

“Cohousing is about living the good life while using less of the earth’s resources, and having a good time doing it.” --Charles Durrett

East County News Service

March 9, 2023 (Ramona, CA) -- Charles Durrett, a leading architect in the field of sustainable community and cohousing, will be hosting a free public presentation on the future of this innovative housing concept, with a focus on the potential for a new cohousing community in Ramona.

The event is open to the public and will take place on March 16 at 6 p.m. in the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane in Ramona. You’re invited to come and be part of planning a sustainable community and cohousing in Ramona.


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RAMONA HISTORIC COLLONADE SIGN UNVEILED

Caltrans, Officials Celebrate National Register of Historic Places Designation

Source: Caltrans

March 8, 2023 (San Diego) -- The Ramona Tree Trust, elected official representatives and community members joined the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to unveil a set of signs commemorating the historic eucalyptus tree colonnade that has characterized the Main Street of Ramona as well as welcomed travelers into San Diego’s rural backcountry as a physical symbol of the townspeople’s pride in their agricultural community.

The Ramona Tree Trust recently led an initiative to list Ramona’s Main Street Colonnade Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

The colonnade consists of 2 miles of over 300 eucalyptus trees, originally established in 1909 and continues to be maintained and replanted to the present day by the community of Ramona.


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PEDESTRIAN RAMP CONSTRUCTION ALONG STATE ROUTE 67 IN RAMONA

Expect Overnight Work and Daytime Traffic Control

Source: CalTrans

March 3, 2023 (Ramona)-Caltrans construction crews will continue pedestrian crossing ramp improvements in downtown Ramona along Main Street as part of the State Route 67 (SR-67) Pavement Rehabilitation Project. The sidewalks will be compliant with the  American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Nighttime work is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 5, through Monday, March 6, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. at the following locations:

  • Ramona Street/Day Street and Main Street
  • 15th Street and Main Street
  • 13th Street and Main Street

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SHERIFF SEEKS HELP TO IDENTIFY SUSPECTS IN RAMONA VANDALISM SPREE

Teenage suspects caught on surveillance video.

 

Source:  San Diego Sheriff's Department

 

February 28, 2022 (Ramona) -- Detectives from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation and San Diego County Crime Stoppers want your help in identifying and locating those responsible for a vandalism spree in Ramona.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: WILDFLOWERS BLOOMING IN RAMONA

East County News Service

February 27, 2023 (Ramona) – Looking for wildflowers? You don’t have to go all the way to Anza-Borrego.  Henri Migala took these colorful photos of a hillside abloom in orange and yellow daisies along the Old Julian Highway in Ramona yesterday.

If you’ve found a great place to view wildflowers locally this spring, send your photos and the location to editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

 


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